How to Build an Underground Root Cellar
Understand that the key elements of a root cellar have to do with temperature, humidity and ventilation., Think out of the box for your underground root cellar., Cover either of the above choices with 1 foot (30.48) of dirt or other coverage for...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Understand that the key elements of a root cellar have to do with temperature
Keep these three details in mind and the cellar can be built using just about any method.
Building material options include native stone, concrete cinder blocks, earth-packed tires or cedar logs for walk-in root cellars.
The most common of these is to use concrete cinder blocks.
This material is readily available from a DIY store. -
Step 2: humidity and ventilation.
Use a fiberglass water tank.
These will be easy to modify and bury.
Bury a 50 gallon (189.3 L) plastic drum in the ground. ,, Ideally, this would be on a hill side facing north and limiting exposure to the opening of the cellar. , Ten feet (3.05 meters) is even better. , One pipe must enter the root cellar low to the floor to let cool air in, and the other one needs to be near the ceiling to vent out hot air.
The vent pipes will need to be screened to keep out pests and to protect the produce from weather that is too cool or too warm.
Remember, cool air settles and warm air rises.
Ventilation is also important to remove ethylene gases that fruit and vegetables produce as they ripen.
Venting ethylene gases slows down the ripening process. , The door to the root cellar plays a double roll
-- to keep the varmints and unwanted visitors out and to keep the cool air in.
Most root cellars have 1 door at the surface and a second at the wall that opens to the root cellar (if this exists).
This entry way acts as a little extra insulation in the form of dead space to keep the cool air in. , Either one can be wet down to help raise the humidity when you need it. , Metal transmits heat, warming up faster that wood.
Wood helps you keep the temperature more in control as a result. , This will help you to track how effective these numbers are and reflect the best way to maintain your root cellar. -
Step 3: Think out of the box for your underground root cellar.
-
Step 4: Cover either of the above choices with 1 foot (30.48) of dirt or other coverage for temporary fall storage.
-
Step 5: Locate your root cellar in an area that has good drainage away from it.
-
Step 6: Excavate for the root cellar so that
-
Step 7: when the walls are buried
-
Step 8: you have at least 4 feet (1.22 meters) of coverage.
-
Step 9: Vent the cellar by installing two PVC pipes.
-
Step 10: Create an entry to the root cellar.
-
Step 11: Cover the floor of your root cellar with gravel or even a concrete floor.
-
Step 12: Choose wooden shelves over metal.
-
Step 13: Place a temperature and humidity gauge in the cellar and keep a record of the readings.
Detailed Guide
Keep these three details in mind and the cellar can be built using just about any method.
Building material options include native stone, concrete cinder blocks, earth-packed tires or cedar logs for walk-in root cellars.
The most common of these is to use concrete cinder blocks.
This material is readily available from a DIY store.
Use a fiberglass water tank.
These will be easy to modify and bury.
Bury a 50 gallon (189.3 L) plastic drum in the ground. ,, Ideally, this would be on a hill side facing north and limiting exposure to the opening of the cellar. , Ten feet (3.05 meters) is even better. , One pipe must enter the root cellar low to the floor to let cool air in, and the other one needs to be near the ceiling to vent out hot air.
The vent pipes will need to be screened to keep out pests and to protect the produce from weather that is too cool or too warm.
Remember, cool air settles and warm air rises.
Ventilation is also important to remove ethylene gases that fruit and vegetables produce as they ripen.
Venting ethylene gases slows down the ripening process. , The door to the root cellar plays a double roll
-- to keep the varmints and unwanted visitors out and to keep the cool air in.
Most root cellars have 1 door at the surface and a second at the wall that opens to the root cellar (if this exists).
This entry way acts as a little extra insulation in the form of dead space to keep the cool air in. , Either one can be wet down to help raise the humidity when you need it. , Metal transmits heat, warming up faster that wood.
Wood helps you keep the temperature more in control as a result. , This will help you to track how effective these numbers are and reflect the best way to maintain your root cellar.
About the Author
Nicholas Richardson
Committed to making DIY projects accessible and understandable for everyone.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: