Root Cellaring: The Complete Walkthrough
This guide covers root cellaring, rated an easy to moderate task, typically taking setup: 1 day.
Our printable card on root cellaring covers the essentials at a glance — here's the fuller walkthrough.
Cool, dark, and humid
A root cellar doesn't need to be an underground room — any consistently cool, dark, reasonably humid space (a shaded shed corner, an insulated box, an unheated garage) can serve the same purpose.
What You'll Need
Worth paying attention to:
- A cool, dark space (ideally 0–4°C for long-term storage)
- Boxes or crates, ideally with damp sand or sawdust for some crops
- Good airflow to prevent mould
- Undamaged, unwashed produce for storage
How It's Done
Keep these points in mind:
- 1. Choose the coolest, darkest available space with reasonably stable temperature.
- 2. Harvest root crops carefully to avoid bruising or cutting, and don't wash before storing.
- 3. Layer crops like carrots in damp sand or sawdust in a crate to prevent them drying out.
- 4. Store crops like onions and garlic differently — hanging or in mesh bags with good airflow, not damp sand.
- 5. Check stored produce periodically and remove anything showing rot before it spreads.
Common Issues
Worth paying attention to:
- Produce shrivelling — storage space too dry; increase humidity slightly, or use the damp sand method for root crops.
- Mould or rot spreading — check for damaged produce going in, and ensure adequate airflow; remove affected items promptly.
- Space too warm — look for a cooler location, or consider it only suitable for shorter-term storage.
- Produce sprouting — normal for potatoes and onions over time in storage; use them before this becomes significant, or store at colder temperatures to slow it.
Ongoing Timing
Best time — set up before the main autumn harvest so crops go straight into storage. Duration — well-stored root crops can keep for several months over winter. Maintenance — check stored produce every few weeks, removing anything spoiling. Signs of success — produce staying firm, unshrivelled, and rot-free well into the storage season.
For the condensed printable version, head to the main guide page linked below.