Root Cellar update,
In 2011 we installed our root cellar. (See blog from Nov. 2011) It has now been 7 years on use and experience. We have never been sorry we built it !!!!
After years of experience we have learned to store fresh potatoes for a full calendar year (slated wooden crate lined with newspaper) and we have Carrots that are still fresh and good to eat raw after 10 months (stored in saw dust). We can keep Romain lettuce for about 4-5 months just by hanging it in "green Bags" from the ceiling.
Don't keep onions in the root cellar . Period
We store eggs for 3-4 months, cheese forever, milk way past expiration dates (month and more past)
Store bought Sugary canned goods don't hold well. For some reason all things citrus eat through the cans from the inside - out and leak after about 6 months and canned fruit of any kind (store bought) don't hold well. Home canned items of like kind in glass jars do good. Beer holds forever also.
We have our house water supply tank in the cellar and always have 39 deg water pumped to the faucet for a good cold drink year around.
We store many canned goods down there. We also sectioned off a place to keep all of our paint, caulk glue's etc so that it never freezes.
We keep the 2 vent pipes open Spring thru fall and close them off in the dead of winter just because things directly under the one pipe froze on year due to back draft. Only one shelf - one corner but don't need to vent it in the winter.
It is not insulated at all. It has an open wood slat floor. It is 4' down from the top. 8'x8'x8' box buried 12' deep to the bottom. It is wrapped on the exterior with bituthane rubber. The exterior is all treated plywood.
The only real mistakes I made. #1 It's not big enough for everything we have figured out to use it for. #2 I should have used ALL treated lumber. The Studs and Rafters are beginning to deteriorate due to the continuous moisture. I am going to have to replace it with-in another 5 years or so.
The Good News, When I replace it, it will be bigger. LOL
