I'm an avid nature-lover who is interested in self-sufficiency. I have created both vegetable gardens and root cellars.
Underground Root Cellar
Making an underground root cellar was my fall project for the year 2010.
This article shows step-by-step how it was designed and constructed, from the planning stage to the final result, including information on drainage, ventilation, and insulation.
I'll explain the mistakes I made and how they were corrected (or, in some instances, how I learned to live with them).
Planning the Root Cellar
I spent many hours researching and planning before I decided what type of root cellar to build and where to put it. And then spent some more time designing it. I relied heavily on information from the book Root Cellaring by Mike and Nancy Bubel and also did some research on the Internet.
There are many different types of root cellars and many different methods of building them. Here I'll just be describing my personal experience in building one with access directly from the basement.
Information about other types and methods, including some simpler and less expensive ones, can be readily found in the Bubels' book or on the Internet. I've provided some links at the end of this article.
Important Elements of a Underground Root Cellar
- Size. Make the root cellar large enough for your future needs, since it cannot easily be enlarged in the future. I made mine large enough to put shelves with a depth of 18 inches around three sides and was very pleased with the result.
- Good drainage. You'll want high humidity, but not so much moisture that you have standing water or excess condensation. If possible, locate the root cellar in an area that naturally gets good drainage. Ideally, it needs a perimeter drain or drain pipes placed inside.
- Ventilation. It's important to have an air intake vent as well as an exhaust vent. This keeps things cool by allowing cold air to enter the root cellar and warm air to exit. This cross ventilation also removes any excess humidity and the ethelyne gasses that are given off by ripening produce.
- Temperature. The root cellar must be kept cool enough to preserve the vegetables and fruits, but not so cold that the produce freezes. The soil around and above helps keep the temperature more constant. Vents bring in cool air from the outside when needed. Insulation makes it easier to keep the coolness in.
- Humidity. The ideal humidity ranges from 80-95% for most vegetables. The best way to keep the humidity high is to have a dirt floor. There are some vegetables that require lower humidity, such as winter squash, and these should not be stored in a root cellar but rather in a drier place.
My first thought was to use an idea I found on the internet: buy a new septic tank, cut a door into it, and put it in the ground. However, I knew I wanted a dirt floor, so the bottom would also have to be cut out.
I called a local company to discuss this idea. They told me it would cost me less to have them build a precast concrete structure without a floor than to try to modify a new septic tank. (This didn't end up being the case.) Unable to find another company to help, I decided to go ahead with their suggestion.
I decided my root cellar would be 8' x 12' on the outside, if I could find a place in the ground to put one that large. So I drew up some plans, including the location of the door and the location of the vent holes, and sent them off to the concrete company.
My next decision was where to put it. It was important to me to have access directly from my basement. The bedrock is very close to my basement walls in most places. In other words, you don't have to dig very far before hitting that ledgy rock. And I needed a hole that was about 6 feet deep!
I hired someone to dig an initial test hole, and assuming we found a place to put the root cellar, to also set up the drainage pipes, and otherwise prepare the site. The photo shows him taking the first scoops of dirt out of the ground. I was so excited!
We were fortunate in that this first spot I chose, which was on the north side of the house, ended up being deep enough. There was only one place where we hit bedrock and we were able to chip that away.
Read More From Dengarden
Locating a root cellar on the north side of the house is ideal, since this will help keep the sun from warming the soil above it and thus keep the root cellar cooler.
The hole has been dug! It was tricky because my back steps are a few feet to the right of the hole and a retaining wall is just to the left. It took a lot of careful digging to avoid the collapse of that retaining wall.
Some soil did fall out from under the steps, but a new concrete footing was poured under the post for the step and things were set straight.
After the hole was dug, the next step was to set up a drainage system so water wouldn't collect in that area.
Part of the perimeter drain for the house (the white pipe parallel to the house) was replaced so there would be places to attach drain pipes for the root cellar. In this photo, you can see the drain pipes attached.
The ground was made level, then "hardware cloth" (a mesh-like screening) was put down to keep the mice and other little critters from burrowing in.
Next, some crushed stone was spread on top of the hardware cloth. The rectangular "tiles" were used as footings to distribute the weight more evenly.
The company that fabricated the root cellar wanted us to use larger "tiles" for footings, but there wasn't enough space for them due to the bedrock being so close. Since one end of the root cellar would be sitting on the footings for the house foundation and one other corner would be sitting on bedrock, we felt that this would be sufficient.
Around here, you have to hire a separate company to cut the opening for the door in the concrete basement wall. (Or do it yourself!) It was a much more complicated process than I had expected, but these guys were real experts.
The concrete was taken out in two chunks: first the upper and then the lower part of the doorway.
Water was applied during the process of cutting through the concrete. Fortunately, I have a basement drain near where they were working. The excavator was used to hoist out the two chunks of concrete that were removed to make the doorway.
When the men arrived with the precast root cellar, the first thing they did was measure the dimensions of the hole in the ground. They then shook their heads and said that it wasn't going to fit. Oh my, that was not good news.
Apparently, unbeknownst to me, they had made it 8' by 13' by mistake, instead of 8' by 12' which was specified in the drawings. The bedrock was jutting out into the area where it would need to be placed.
The men knew that the size was wrong when they loaded it onto the truck, but hadn't called me to let me know. Oops!
Determined as I am, I said I thought we could make it work anyway. So they got out their drills and various other tools and set about carving away at the bedrock.
While they were doing this, I got up on the truck to check out my new root cellar. I discovered that one side had a large crack in it, which had been patched! I'm guessing that it cracked when it was being put on the truck.
I called and spoke with the owner of the company and we agreed that we'd work out an adjustment to the price, which we later did.
When it was being swung around so it could be placed in the hole, I think it began to crack some more, in one of the corners. The fourth side (the side without the tar) was partially open, so this very heavy structure wasn't stable enough to hold together.
After many attempts, the root cellar has been lowered into place. Whew!
The side that's close to the house is sitting on the same footings as the house foundation. And that side was also bolted to the wall of the house foundation.
You can see a new crack in the corner in the foreground in the photo.
We had planned to put a type of rubber gasket between the root cellar wall and the house foundation, but due to the trouble in hoisting the cellar into place, this turned out not to be possible. The gasket would have helped keep water from seeping in.
Tar was put along the top edge of the concrete structure before the top was put on, to keep moisture from coming in between that edge and the concrete top.
The top was then hoisted into place. It was getting dark by that time, so the photos didn't come out well enough to show that part of the process.
The next step was to cover the root cellar with heavy-duty polyethylene (plastic) to give more protection against water infiltration. Then crushed stone was poured around the outside to improve drainage and the top was covered with soil.
After these photos were taken, an elbow was attached to the bottom of the cold air intake pipe to direct the air toward the middle of the root cellar. Both pipes were covered with a "door" that can be opened or closed as needed, in order to maintain the desired temperature.
I had an insulated metal door installed between the basement and the root cellar. This was especially important in my situation, since my woodstove is in the basement and I wanted to keep the warm basement air from affecting the temperature in the root cellar.
Then a laundry sink was added outside the root cellar door, so I'd have a place to wash off the veggies before bringing them upstairs.
This sink has come in very handy! It was an extra expense, but I'm very glad I did it.
Finally, I added the metal shelving which is solidly attached to the walls. This shelving allows for good circulation behind and around the baskets, bins, or other storage containers.
On the left, you can see my thermometer and humidity gauges. There are two of them because I wanted compare the readings to test their accuracy.
I still need to add at least one light and maybe an outlet for plugging in a fan to facilitate the flow of air on cool spring and fall nights.
Lessons I Learned: What I Would Have Done Differently
- The main mistake that I made was to have it precast and delivered rather than having it cast in place. If there had been no gap in the fourth side, there would have been less likelihood of cracking since the structure would have been more stable. In hindsight, a structure such as this is less than ideal for being moved with a hoist. A better choice would have been to have the footings and the walls for the root cellar poured right in place, like would be done for a house foundation. Also, I think the cost would have been less if I'd had it cast in place.
- Another mistake was not having that gasket put between the root cellar wall and the basement wall. The tar that was applied above that area didn't seal it completely, either. As a result, when it rained, water leaked in that area, causing the door frame to swell and the door to stick. (The problem had to be solved from the inside, since the outside was now covered with the raised beds. I did this by applying Water Plug. And the door was planed to make it slightly smaller so it would no longer stick.)
It's important to check your local and state building codes to make sure that you're not in violation. In my state, the root cellar is considered part of the house and thus has to be located a certain distance from the well. Also, make sure you don't need a building permit.
More Information and Articles
Building a Root Cellar: Here's a great step-by-step article by someone who had one cast in place, like a regular foundation would be. This is an even more elaborate project than mine, but very interesting.
Outdoor Root Cellars: Very helpful information about cold storage of vegetables when you don't have an underground root cellar. Includes descriptions of a trench silo, a "hole-in-the-ground pit", a garbage can cellar, and a root clamp. From Mother Earth News.
Creating a Root Cellar: This article by Eliot Coleman provides details about location, drainage, insulation, and humidity. Includes illustrations. Describes some easy techniques such as using metal garbage cans buried in the ground.
Root Cellaring: Excellent article by Nancy and Mike Bubel about building and using root cellars.
Build a Root Cellar: Another good article from Mother Earth News. This one is about converting a septic tank.
Another Type of Root Cellar: Smaller, Simpler, Cheaper
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Comments on Making a Root Cellar
Fatima Oni on May 16, 2018:
Underground root cellar alaska usa
Angie on January 23, 2016:
I'm from East Texas and remember when my grandpa would grow veggies. The potatoes and fruits would just get scattered under the house
No basement just slab. Worked great.
amandamarie31 on August 22, 2014:
awesome I love it.
Shermie Mills from US on August 10, 2014:
Clear explanation of every step. Thanks for sharing this useful lens.
sreohl1 on June 05, 2014:
This is one of the most interesting lenses I've read - and the articles are also. I read each. When I was young, we had a root cellar. but I don't remember the elaborate insulation, piping, etc. The house was built in 1924 and I remember an area in the basement of which 3 sides were completely below ground level. It was sectioned off from the basement by a wall and door made of wood but with a slatted effect so there were cracks. The temperature was constant year-round.
ClaytonDaily on June 04, 2014:
Great step by step instructions. Enjoyed the pictures also.
Paula Hite from Virginia on February 28, 2014:
Totally awesome lens! Labor of love for sure! Your lens has been featured on "The Green Thumb: A Place For Gardeners To Gather" Facebook page. Please like/share it with your friends!
Ellen Gregory from Connecticut, USA on February 16, 2014:
Wow, this is a lot more complicated than I thought. I thought one just brings bushel baskets down to the basement. Interesting.
Fantastic Voyages from Texas on February 14, 2014:
This is a great article! I would love to have a root cellar of my own, but I imagine my neighbors wouldn't be happy with me digging up our yards!
Donna Cook on January 31, 2014:
Wow! What amazing project!
tonyleather on November 10, 2013:
What a greart post. Chock full of excellent advice. Thanks.
a-elkins on October 21, 2013:
Great article! Hope you can post an update in the future on how long your produce lasts in cold storage.
avonproducts4me on October 21, 2013:
Do you mind me asking about how much this endeavor cost? I am looking at a root cellar, but am unsure of a rough estimate of each way I could go. avonproducts4me at yahoo dot com
Meganhere on October 15, 2013:
Wow, that's awesome. Great lens, great work!
Hal Gall from Bloomington, IN on July 10, 2013:
My Grandpa had a small root cellar that he made cherry wine in from fruit he picked from a nearby tree. I remember going down there as a small child. It was pretty neat.
Dusty2 LM on July 02, 2013:
Very nice lens that is well documented and illustrated with your photos. As a youngster I lived on farms that had underground root cellars that were also used as storm and tornado shelters because there was no basements. During the summer I always liked to hang out in the root cellar where it was nice and cool when the temps was over 90 degrees plus I always liked the earthy smell. I sure miss those old root cellars because there was something else about them that's hard to explain. Anyway, appreciate you writing and sharing this lens. Have a Great Day.
anonymous on June 12, 2013:
Great story. I assume from the date stamps on the story and comments that you are just beginning your second season of use. Correct? Lessons learned? I grew up with root cellars and canning and major gardening and am trying to return to that, in suburbia. This has inspired me to use a needed foundation dig for a drainage repair to build a root cellar rather than build a remote one on a hillside at the back of the property, thanks for that! I am an amateur architect and see a couple more things in your design that might come back to bite you over time. I hope not. Poured in place is the only way to go, IMHO. I do like the sink...we have that. I like your raised-bed cap, great idea. Won't work for our orientation to the street and grade, so I will have to study another solution to insulation and landscaping. What is your latitude and how has that impacted your storage? We are now a zone 6 (climate change) about 39 degrees, 58 minutes in Ohio with a yoyo winter so insulation is critical. Your pics seem to indicate that you are more north with better snow cover. thanks for any feedback you can provide and happy winter eating!
flicker lm (author) on April 23, 2013:
@cameron-johnson-750983: Yes, I should probably add something to this article to explain what a root cellar is. Thanks for the suggestion. A root cellar is a place where you can store root vegetables (and certain fruit) through the winter. The coolness and the moisture keep the vegetables and fruit from spoiling. It's where I store extra root vegetables from my garden, so I can continue to enjoy them over the winter.
flicker lm (author) on April 23, 2013:
@Gypzeerose: The intro photo shows my baskets of potatoes. I should have taken a photo this past winter, but almost everything is eaten up now, except the potatoes. My article "Root Cellaring - Book Review" (see section above) has an intro photo of some carrots packed in a basket from my root cellar.
geosum on April 23, 2013:
Back in my younger years, we had a farmhouse with a root cellar basement. I can still remember the musty smell. We used it for many years.
Jen withFlash on April 22, 2013:
Wow.. this is pretty cool!
cameron-johnson-750983 on April 21, 2013:
Hi - Sorry but I must have missed something. What is a root cellar?
anonymous on April 21, 2013:
Rose Jones on April 19, 2013:
Fabulous lens. One of these days though, show us a photo of all the fruits and veggies you have stored! Pinned to my lens "Thrifty Living."
Rhonda Lytle from Deep in the heart of Dixie on April 18, 2013:
A most impressive wealth of information you have presented. It's nice to hear about the potential problems before beginning such a big project.
Jordan on April 12, 2013:
Through and informative lens!
anonymous on April 06, 2013:
Fluid applied elastomeric waterproofing is the best performing waterproofing since it's able to bridge cracks that form - get a good brand (like Henry or Sika) from a contractor supply. You'll want drainage mat and gravel along the walls with perforated drainage pipe around the foundation. You can do interior insulation rather than exterior, similar to what's done for the basement of a house. Anybody familiar with heat recovery ventilation?
Teddi14 LM on March 24, 2013:
Love this lens. I want one too but I am in the city and would probably have to dig it from the inside from the basement...
Muebles de exte on March 22, 2013:
Very nice lens, thank you very much for your info
pericaluic on March 18, 2013:
vinopete on March 12, 2013:
What a cool idea! If only I had a basement of my own.
anonymous on March 07, 2013:
Great idea! I hope that when you buy our next house this might an option for us. I get so tired of not having room to store store extra veggies and fruit where they won't spoil.
Vikki from US on March 05, 2013:
Wow---that is a super helpful tutorial--love the pics showing the progress.
Muebles de host on March 03, 2013:
very nice lens. thank you
pauly99 lm on February 25, 2013:
Up until today, I really wasn't sure what a root cellar was... or is used for. Thanks for explaining it to us.
Very nice lens by the way!
flicker lm (author) on February 18, 2013:
@CrystalNici LM: I'm so glad you enjoyed the article and found it useful. That's wonderful that you plan to start homesteading!
flicker lm (author) on February 18, 2013:
@spurldoggy: I hope you do build one! You won't regret it. I consider it an investment. Lowers my food costs because I can store root veggies from my garden and use them during the winter. Rarely purchase veggies now - summer or winter. And there's no drive to the market to get the veggies - they're as close as a walk down to the basement.
naturaldrycarpetcleaning on February 18, 2013:
Very interesting. Great article!
CrystalNici LM on February 15, 2013:
One day my fiancé and I would like to start homesteading in the Netherlands. This article is fantastic and very useful, it is another one that will be bookmarked for future reference. I am sorry you had such trouble with the people making the concrete for the cellar but thanks for sharing as it means others will learn from you mistakes. Brilliant!
spurldoggy on February 14, 2013:
What an awesome idea! I was looking through the home improvement section and found your lens. I am now thinking about building one in my back yard!
anonymous on February 14, 2013:
Unusual topic...but interesting! Well done.
Melanie Wilcox from Pennsylvania, USA on February 08, 2013:
hello and nice to meet you :) -nice lens worthy of a purple star! -you must be so thankful to have your own root cellar that you built yourself! *liked* and *pinned* :)
flicker lm (author) on February 01, 2013:
@anonymous: Apparently some people have done it, but I don't have any experience with it. There are some videos on youtube about using shipping containers for a root cellar. (Just do a search for "shipping container root cellar".) I think the two main concerns would be 1) possible rusting of the metal over time, due to the high humidity in a root cellar, and 2) whether the roof could withstand the weight of the dirt that you'd need to put on top of it.
anonymous on January 30, 2013:
Do you think a small shipping container could buried and made into a root cellar?
contentlove on January 20, 2013:
Excellent resource for root cellar. Good project details are here!
makarenko on January 19, 2013:
great idea! my grandma use to have one and it was full of yummy preserves and pickles - always worth a visit! :)
XenasDeals on January 16, 2013:
Great info, my parents live on an acreage, and their cellar got flooded last spring, didn't ruin potato crop too badly, you gave some ideas here for building a new one, thank you.
Ursel001 on January 14, 2013:
Thank you for useful info!!!
cargoliftken on January 14, 2013:
Great article! I super love your lens. Nice pictures, too.
mrdata on January 13, 2013:
Valuable lens here! Thanks for all your great info!
suepogson on January 05, 2013:
Hey I just learned loads.... Thank you!
KitchenExpert LM on January 03, 2013:
Great information! Have you ever tried making one with the blocks though? That is the style I am looking at doing now.
Doc_Holliday on January 01, 2013:
Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
David-N on December 31, 2012:
Wow that looks really major but it would be awesome to have a root cellar. Great lens :)
lionmom100 on December 26, 2012:
Wow. You built quite a root cellar. My yard is too small to accommodate one. The closest I can get is storing things in the garage in winter. Looking to grow some root veggies in my new raised beds next year, though.
Resident-Nerd on December 21, 2012:
I really enjoyed reading this, not something i had thought about before but it did spark my interest. Thank you and great lens.
dawnsnewbeginning on December 12, 2012:
A lot of work but I can almost taste the veggies that will come out of there!
Kaellyn on November 29, 2012:
Wow, that was quite a process. I'm not at the point of needing a root cellar (more like just contemplating putting in a veggie garden), but if I ever reach that point, I'll come back to this lens to get started.
myspace9 on November 21, 2012:
Very informative lens.
Tony Bonura from Tickfaw, Louisiana on November 17, 2012:
Great ideas, but root cellars don't work too well where I live in SE Louisiana. They tend to fill with water or float up out of the ground. I did enjoy your lens about root cellars. I found it interesting and informative and now know that those suckers are expensive and a heck of a lot of work. :-)
FashionMommy on November 12, 2012:
they really are dedicated in creating a root cellar. simply amazing!
shewins on November 10, 2012:
Wow, looks like quite a project. I'm sure your trial and error process will save others a lot of trouble. Thanks for sharing your experience.
uneasywriter lm on November 03, 2012:
This is a very well done lens! I would love to put in a root cellar but with some required repairs and other things of importance needing to be finished a root cellar project is down the list of things right now.
VspaBotanicals on November 03, 2012:
I'm greatly impressed. Great, great lens.
anonymous on November 01, 2012:
We have an old storm cellar that was on the property when we bought it that I am wanting to turn into a root cellar, just wasn't sure about venting, ect. until I read your article, so thank you for sharing! Got several ideas from this to incorporate on "what was already here"!
Muebles de host on October 31, 2012:
Nice lens with wonderful information. tks,
flicker lm (author) on October 25, 2012:
@getpregnanthelp: I had the root cellar made by a company that produces septic tanks, burial vaults, and other pre-cast cement products.
flicker lm (author) on October 25, 2012:
@anonymous: Thanks for the advice. I'll keep an eye on the chrome shelving. Haven't had trouble yet with the problem of the cold metal affecting the produce. I store my root veggies (except potatoes) in baskets with moistened peat moss. So the basket and a layer of peat moss are between the shelves and the produce.
anonymous on October 22, 2012:
Brilliant ideas! Pretty nice lens.
getpregnanthelp on October 16, 2012:
Great lens! My husband and I are planning on building a root cellar as well. Got a lot of useful information from your article and also some things to look out for. I was wondering though, just where it was that you had the pre-cast cellar made?
CoffeeWriter LM on October 16, 2012:
Loved the lens. I've been thinking of doing this myself though I would cast the concrete in place, for the reasons you stated.
anonymous on October 15, 2012:
How much did it cost all together?
KateH2 on October 13, 2012:
Had never heard of a root cellar before stumbling across your lens. Very interesting read and well documented. I would have also been interested in know how much it cost, not because I am think about having one but more out of curiosity. Maybe a tally at the end of each step? Also how long did it take from start to finish?
anonymous on October 05, 2012:
I'm worried your chrome shelving is going to rust eventually. Also, the fact metal conducts cold so well might have an adverse effect on what is stored on it, i.e., vegetables or fruit. Just things to keep in mind. Cheers!
Winterhawkconstr on September 21, 2012:
Great information. i have always wanted a root seller i just use baskets in the basement now.
Pangionedevelopers on September 06, 2012:
Great lens, you really put a lot of effort into it and it shows. Maybe you want to add some video clips as well. Very informative. For similar info, check out this site... BERGEN COUNTY CONTRACTORS
flicker lm (author) on August 29, 2012:
@anonymous: As far as the time frame, it took a day or two to dig the hole and place the drain pipes. Then, once the root cellar arrived, it took that whole day (I think) to get the door cut out of the basement wall and place the root cellar in the hole, including drilling out the bedrock, bolting the root celalr to the basement wall and covering the edges with tar. Then it took another day or so to insulate the root cellar, cover it with plastic and fill in around it, etc. As far as the cost, I can only say that it was quite a bit more than I had anticipated when I started the project. But... no regrets.
anonymous on August 29, 2012:
very nice indeed. I would like to know about how much this cost and the time frame for building it. again very nice . the lense was well written also.
earthybirthymum from Ontario, Canada on August 25, 2012:
That is one elaborate root cellar! I'd love to have something similar. many blessings
Onemargaret LM on August 19, 2012:
Wow! Never seen a root cellar before! Very interesting lens!
flicker lm (author) on August 19, 2012:
@anonymous: I suggest that you have someone look at the situation (maybe an engineer) to see if the floor of the garage will still carry the load required - for example the weight of a car or cars - if you remove the support below it. If you don't park cars in there, I suspect it would be more likely to work. But getting the advise of an expert is important if you don't want any unexpected surprises.
anonymous on August 19, 2012:
Good article on building a root cellar. Do you have anywhere root cellars are under a garage, basement will be cold storage area, with spancrete ceiling. Plan is too build this year or next. Root cellar is a new idea for me today, so there are no plans other than ruff stechs. Any advice, will be very helpful
Elizabeth Sheppard from Bowling Green, Kentucky on August 09, 2012:
I really enjoyed this lens. I wish I had a basement! Maybe someday. I think having a root cellar would be so nice. ::::blessed::::
tamstone on August 06, 2012:
If I had a root cellar, I'd pack it with beer.
wedpittsburgh lm on July 31, 2012:
This is an excellent lens with a lot of great info. My mom loves this stuff so I will be sending this link to her! Thanks!
anonymous on July 28, 2012:
Tons of good information in this lens. I Especially like the 'lessons learned' wrap up you included. Thanks for sharing.
MohkaUK LM on July 19, 2012:
Great lens, thanks!
CristianStan on July 18, 2012:
Looks like making a root cellar needs lots of work. But definitely worth it once done!
SpenceG on July 15, 2012:
If I had a root cellar, I'd pack it with beer.
JDEEZY on July 07, 2012:
nice project you had going there
jazziyarbrough on June 11, 2012:
I'm too lazy to make a root cellar, but I enjoyed your energy while I watched you make your root cellar with all the great pictures and instructions. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the honor of reading this wonderful lens.
flicker lm (author) on June 04, 2012:
@SecondHandJoe LM: Thanks for your kind words and thanks for the suggestion! When I have a chance, I'll add something explaining what a root cellar is - and maybe the history of root cellars.
timo5150 lm on June 03, 2012:
Great lens. I like information that helps people become self reliant. Having a proper root cellar is a must for storing food without electricity.
CameronPoe on June 03, 2012:
this is a fantastic idea.
Rumisglass on June 02, 2012:
Wonderfully crafted article. Look forward to reading a lot more from you.
SecondHandJoe LM on June 02, 2012:
Amazing. One of the easiest lenses to follow step by step. Really enjoyed it! I was talking about root cellaring to a friend, and she said, "What's a root cellar? I've heard of them but what are they used for?" You might want to add a line to your intro for the folks who don't know what it's used for.
Fantastic step by step lens! Congratulations on your purple Star and being selected for Lens of the Day!
chwwalker lm on June 01, 2012:
What an awesome resource! I love all the photos so we can see how the process worked, and your candid attitude toward your mistakes.
Jeff Johnston from Alberta Canada on June 01, 2012:
Very cool lens. Love how detailed your descriptions and the pics you added. One day hope to have a house with a root cellar, or if not to put one in :D
katiecolette on May 31, 2012:
Wow, what a project! You did an excellent job on documenting all the steps and taking photos of different stages of the project. Thumbs up :)
Corey from Massachusetts on May 30, 2012:
Love the detailed pictures and the idea of doing this. i have an old Victorian house and would love this as an addition1