Cold Storage Options–Basements
•generallycoolanddry(10–16°C&60percenthumidity)
• bestlocationinNorth–Eastcornerofbasement• idealforpotatoes,carrots,turnipsandparsnips
Cold Storage Options–Refrigerators •generallycoldanddry(0–4°C&50–60percent
humidity)• goodforonionsandgarlic• throwoutfruitandvegetablesthatshowsignsof
spoiling• cleanandwipewithdampclotheveryfewweeks
Cold Storage Options Root Cellars •generallycoldandmoist(0–4°C&95percent
humidity)• needprotectionfromrodents• straw,hayorwoodshavingsetc.canbeusedfor
insulation• usuallylocatedoutsidethehouse
Root Cellars– Garden Row Storage •goodforcarrots,
parsnips,turnips,beets
Cold Storage for Vegetables• coverwithplastic,clothorscreening,nextabout
eightinchesmulch,moreplasticandaddmoremulch(about12inches)
• easytodigoutasbottomlayerisdry•markrowssoeasytofind
Root Cellars–Hay Bale Fortress •goodtoextendlifeofplantssuchaslettuce,
tomatoes,broccoli,etc.• stackbalesofhaytwolayersdeeparoundplants• coverwitholdstormwindow•addstrawfilledbagsoroldrugsontopofwindow
Root Cellars–Tents or Mounds •goodtoextendlifeofbroccoli,chard,turnipgreens,
etc.• putstakesateitherendofrowandstringwire•placeU–shapedwireortwigsalongrow•putplasticoverwireandanchoredgeswithstones
andearth• openendswhen
sunny;closewhencool
Root Cellars–Buried Refrigerator
•goodforapples,potatoes,beets,carrots,turnips,parsnips
• removemotor,shelves,drawersanddoorlocksfromunusedrefrigerators
• digholeonefootlargerthanfridge;placeonbackinholewithdooratgroundlevel
• putstonearoundfridgefordrainage;fillwithlooseground
Root Cellars–Trenches
•goodforleafyvegetableslikecabbage•digtrenchabouttwofeetdeep•putlayerofstraw,leavesormoss•placevegetableplants,rootandall• coverwithboards,thenstrawandsoil
Root Cellars—Storage Barrel •goodforavarietyofvegetables• digholesobarrelisplacedat45°angle• putstonesinholefordrainage;placebarrelinhole• coverwithtwofeetgroundallaroundbarrel
• putvegetablesinbarrel;insulatewithhayorstraw;coverandholdinplacewithlargestone
Root Cellars–Earth Pits •goodforvarietyof
vegetables• digpittwofeet
deepbyfourfeetwide
• packeartharoundedgetoslopeaway
• digtrencharoundtochannelwateraway
• putsandorsawdustinpit;layervegetableswithsand
• coverwithstraw;thenplastic,finallyadoororplanks
Cold Storage Options–Outbuildings • usegranariestopackvegetablesinthegrain• digpitsinoutbuildingsiftheyhavegroundfloors• buryametalwalllockerinagarage• coverwithblankettoallownolight,inacoolroom
orcloset