Root cellars have been used for centuries to help store food during cold weather. Produce that have traditionally been stored in root cellars include apples, pears, onions, garlic, turnips, squash, carrots, potatoes and various other fruits, nuts and vegetables. Remember that potatoes stored below 40 degrees will often lead to starches being converted to sugars, which will give tubers an undesirable sweet taste. Placing potatoes at room temperature for 2 to 3 days will allow sugars to be converted back to starches and remove the objectionable taste.
What is most important for storing produce? The two variables that are most important to control when using a root cellar are temperature and humidity.
Temperature: For best results, we want to keep the temperature between 32 and 40 degrees. Allowing the temperature to rise above 40 degrees will cause the produce to deteriorate more quickly.
Humidity: Keeping the humidity level between 85 and 95% will keep produce from shriveling due to moisture loss.
There are number of methods and materials used to make root cellars. For example, a root cellar can be made from straw bales, trash cans, buried barrels, drain tiles, trenches, crawl spaces, new septic tanks, earth pits, outbuildings and basements. Building plans are beyond the scope of this article, however, an internet search can provide plenty of ideas. (Ward Upham)
What is most important for storing produce? The two variables that are most important to control when using a root cellar are temperature and humidity.
Temperature: For best results, we want to keep the temperature between 32 and 40 degrees. Allowing the temperature to rise above 40 degrees will cause the produce to deteriorate more quickly.
Humidity: Keeping the humidity level between 85 and 95% will keep produce from shriveling due to moisture loss.
There are number of methods and materials used to make root cellars. For example, a root cellar can be made from straw bales, trash cans, buried barrels, drain tiles, trenches, crawl spaces, new septic tanks, earth pits, outbuildings and basements. Building plans are beyond the scope of this article, however, an internet search can provide plenty of ideas. (Ward Upham)
RSS Feed
