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Root Cellars

 
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Location: Sierras
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I'm sure there's a thread somewhere on root cellars... but I'm lazy and didn't find it quickly...

Has anyone ever dug into their crawl space, or into the soil under their house and built a small root cellar? 

Any suggestions about root cellar size, how close you can dig to structural posts/walls, humidity control, keeping bugs out, etc.?

 
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Location: rainier OR
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every one of them questions has lots of answers for instance if you have heavy clay soil you ccan dig right down beside your fotting with no issues if its soft sand you may have to stay ten feet away from them

how deep depends on climate amd size depends on how much you want to store

a good start to get the ide how it works is to get a few five gallon pails with tight fitting lids bury them to the lip put what you want to sotre inside and set a hay bail on top, tarp the hay bale if it rains a lot in winter

this may not work in very harsh winters or very hot summers but it will give you an idea what more you need to do
 
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Okay, here's the search I did - it was quick and easy!

I clicked on the "search" button at the top right of this page.
I typed "root cellar" in the Search for: box
I scrolled to the bottom and unchecked Check all, then I checked off permaculture, green building, homestead and cooking and food preservation (just 4 forums).

Here are some of the top results:
Root Cellars (green building)
root cellar building materials (green building)
Combination root cellar/chicken coop (green building)
Parge Bermed Earthbag Root Cellar (green building)
Sepp Holzer root cellar (green building)
Ideas for a cheap storm shelter/root cellar? (green building)

While there was mention of root cellars in many more posts in all 4 forums, it seems I really only needed to check the green building forum for this search!

Even though Brice's reply is helpful, I suggest you find a thread that fits closest to what you're looking for and ask more questions there. You'll be more likely to start or continue a conversation with those working on a similar project.

 
Fred Winsol
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Location: Sierras
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Brice Moss wrote:
a good start to get the ide how it works is to get a few five gallon pails with tight fitting lids bury them to the lip put what you want to sotre inside and set a hay bail on top, tarp the hay bale if it rains a lot in winter this may not work in very harsh winters or very hot summers but it will give you an idea what more you need to do



I need it for summertime... have plenty of snow for cold in the winter. 
The buckets are a great simple idea!  I think I'll start that way with a trench and put in a heavily insulated, hinged cover for easy access.

Thanks
 
Fred Winsol
Posts: 155
Location: Sierras
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Jocelyn Campbell wrote:
While there was mention of root cellars in many more posts in all 4 forums, it seems I really only needed to check the green building forum for this search!I suggest you find a thread that fits closest to what you're looking for and ask more questions there. You'll be more likely to start or continue a conversation with those working on a similar project.



Thanks Joyce.
 
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