Root Cellars

Posted by Amanda Clark on January 27, 2011 at 11:40pm

Hi there,

 

I'm in the long slow process of creating a functional permaculture system and one thing I am interested in building is the old-fashioned cold-dark-hole-in-the-ground for storing root veges, fruit, etc.

 

I have a typical kiwi house with punishingly low crawl space . . . but live on a hill, so could dig into its side, perhaps.

 

I'll be depending on web research and books, unless I can find some fellow enthusiasts here ;)

 

AC

You need to be a member of ooooby3 to add comments!

Join ooooby3

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Richard Grevers January 28, 2011 at 11:10am

    Its something we will be briefing our architect and permaculture expert on too.

    From my background reading, the essentials are:

    • Earth insulated for constant (moderately cool) temperature.
    • Moderate humidity (too dry and food shrivels, too wet and it moulds
    • Ventilation: top vent to let hot air out, inlet for cold air, shelves 7-10cm out from walls to allow airflow all around.
    • Keep fruit, tomatoes etc, in a separate cellar - they release ethylene gas which ages root crops and makes carrots bitter.
    • Make it rodent-proof! 

    Being in a very wet part of Taranaki, humidity will probably be our challenge. We are also thinking of it being a bolt-hole should a tornado make it as far inland as our place.

    We will also be looking at a dry larder for storing grains - warmer, dryer and definitely rodent-proof.

  • Penny Guy January 28, 2011 at 5:43am
    I haven't done this myself but apparently an easy way to do it is to bury an old freezer or fridge.
    • Amanda Clark > Penny Guy January 28, 2011 at 7:49am

      <larf>

       

      Hmm . . . a kind of 'virtuous landfill' ;)

       

      I'm currently thinking heavy slabs of broken concrete for floor and sides, with a waterproof 'ceiling' draining away from and below the internal sides . . . do you have any more info on the fridge approach ? - Ventilation, moisture etc . . .  the old Maori techniques of kumara preservation (layers of straw etc) are my main starting point so far . . .

       

       

This reply was deleted.