Hobson - Build Your Own Underground Root Cellar

Phyllis Hobson

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Hobson, Phyllis

Build your own underground root cellar / by Phyllis Hobson

A Storey Publishing Bulletin

ISBN 978-0-88266-290-9

Having a root cellar in your backyard is like having your own private supermarket of fresh fruits and vegetables. Any time you need potatoes for dinner or an apple for a snack, just open the door and walk inside. Anything you need is right there on the shelves.

But a root cellar is more than a convenience. In addition to providing the security of having a years supply of fruits and vegetables on hand, a root cellar offers sanctuary. In an emergency, it could shelter your family for a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks, if necessary.

A well-built root cellar can be a good investment. It will save you money for years to come, yet if you build the cellar yourself, the cost of materials is less than you would spend in one winter buying food at supermarket prices.

A good root cellar should provide cool, above-freezing temperatures and good circulation of moderately humid air. The combination root cellar and storm shelter in this bulletin has these features plus several others that make it easy for one person with no building experience to build as a spare-time project.

The dirt floor takes advantage of the naturally cool, even temperature of the earth. It also cuts costs and provides needed humidity.

Here is a cutaway view of the completed root cellar.

The concrete block walls are durable and sturdy, with a middle core of air, which acts as an insulator. In extreme climates, the cores can be filled with loose insulation to keep temperatures more even. Concrete block walls are simple to work with. And you can lay a few blocks whenever you have a little time, then resume where you left off the next time.

The walls are topped by a wood frame roof made of 2 x lumber, which can be handled by 1 person. The roof is protected by sheathing, roll roofing, and plastic film, then covered with 2 feet of soil.

Entrance to the cellar is through an air lock created by a 4-foot-wide hatchway at the top of the stairway and another door at the bottom of the stairs. The doors and the entrance wall are insulated to protect the cellar interior.

The cellar is vented for good air circulation, and a drainage system protects the interior from water seepage.

So here it is. This is one root cellar you can afford. This is one you can do all by yourself. And you can build it in your spare time.

If you have a garden and want to store the produce for year-round use, you know you need a root cellar. If you have a family that needs the security of an assured food supply and a safe shelter in time of emergency, you know you should build one. All you have to do is start.

But first, lets decide where to put this 8-foot by 12-foot cellar.

The ideal location for a root cellar is on a hillside or slope facing away from prevailing winds. Even without a slope, choose the highest ground you have for the best drainage possible. Avoid any low-lying areas, or your cellar may fill up with water in the spring.

If possible, pick a spot convenient to both the kitchen and garden. Remember, from harvest season until early summer during the worst weather of the year you will probably be visiting it almost every day.

Stay away from large trees, if you can. Tree roots sometimes reach out an incredible distance, and they not only hamper digging, they can invade your cellar walls eventually.

Consider the type of soil. If it is rocky or hardpan clay, hand digging will be difficult, so you will need excavation equipment. If it is too sandy, the dirt walls will collapse as you dig, and you will have to dig the hole larger to allow for sloping walls. If you encounter either condition, it is probably best to look for another location.

You know your land better than anyone else, so look it over for any special problems, such as drifting snow or conflicting traffic patterns. If tractors, lawn mowers, or other vehicles must pass over that spot, choose another location or be prepared to reinforce the roof to avoid a cave-in.

Sometimes the best site for a root cellar is near the foundation wall of a house or garage. Not only is the location convenient, but these buildings usually are constructed where drainage is no problem, and they will protect the cellar entrance from snow drifts in winter, hot sun in summer, and high winds year-round.

Walk around your land until you find the location thats right for you. Then, its time to gather up a few tools.

Many of the tools you will need are already in your garage or workshop. Some specialized tools, such as a heavy-duty wheelbarrow, can be rented. Heres what you will need and what you will need them for.

Pointed-ended, long-handled shovel to dig the excavation and the footing trench and to move wet concrete and gravel.

Square-ended trench shovel for squaring up the sides and bottom of the footing trench.

Garden hoe to spread wet concrete in the footing trench and mix concrete and mortar.

Metal tape measure at least 20 feet long.

Sturdy wheelbarrow.

Masonry trowel to apply mortar between blocks. The end of the wooden handle is useful to tap the blocks in place.

Mortarboard to hold mortar as it is applied.

Jointer tool