We have found that growing food in a
garden is not difficult, but that it is a two step process; growing and then PRESERVING the food that we do grow. In other words, a lot of times the perfectly good food we do grow, goes to waste during storage. Due to our soil type, terrain and farm history, we can really grow some great
root crops, but thought a root cellar would be a good way to preserve them.
I have had this stupid 18 wheeler reefer trailer on my
land for awhile now, and was going to scrap iron the thing as it is unsightly from the house, but then thought, 'What if we took and excavator, dug a hole in our side hill (I live on a 6% grade) and then slipped the trailer into the hole. If we then covered the top of it with logs, corduroy fashion so it would hold the weight, dozed the excavated soil over the top of it. That would give us a cheap, 8 x 48 foot root cellar with nice wide locking door that was cold, but not frozen.'
Would that work?
It seems too easy.
I also worry about rodents, but honestly worry about rodents regarding any way we build a root cellar.