Root Cellar and Cool Storage

What is a root cellar?

A root cellar is a cool, humid, dark space, often partly or fully underground, used to store vegetables, fruit and some preserved foods. The soil around it keeps temperatures steadier than the air outside.

Designs range from a basement corner to a separate earth-sheltered room or a buried structure. Pick one that suits your site and budget.

Think about how you will use it, since that shapes design. A cellar for a family garden is smaller and simpler than one for market crops, and access should be easy even in snow or mud.

• Cool, humid and dark
• Often earth-sheltered
• Can be new or part of a basement

What site and construction questions come first?

Choose a well-drained site. A cellar that floods or collects water will rot food and may be dangerous. Ask your county building office about permits and any codes that apply to below-ground structures, and do not rely on advice from memory. Think also about how you will get produce in and out in winter, including paths cleared of snow and ice, and whether heavy crates must be carried on steps.

Digging, retaining walls and roofing are safety-sensitive work. Cave-ins and collapses are real hazards, so consult qualified professionals and your county for what is needed.

• Choose a well-drained site
• Check permits and codes
• Get professional help for digging and structure

How do temperature and humidity work?

Many root vegetables like cool and humid conditions, while others like cool and drier ones. Different spaces within the cellar can offer different conditions. Place thermometers and humidity gauges at crop level and check them often.

Cellars can warm up in fall and cool slowly in spring. Ventilation lets you bring in cool night air in autumn and hold temperature in winter.

Ask local gardeners with cellars what temperatures they actually see. Cellars in different soils and climates behave very differently, and your own readings matter more than a general chart.

Why does ventilation matter?

Air movement removes moisture, ethylene and heat. A vent in and a vent out, often at different heights, allows air to circulate. Screen vents to keep out rodents and insects.

Enclosed underground spaces can hold bad air. Never enter a space where you feel dizzy or smell something unusual, and ventilate before entering a space that has been closed. Ask local safety authorities about confined space hazards. Keep a flashlight, a phone and a second person nearby when you enter a deep or enclosed cellar for the first time each season.

What should you store, and how?

Potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbages, apples and some winter squash are common choices, but they do not all prefer the same conditions. Use bins, crates or shelves that allow air to move, and keep crops off the floor.

Do not store everything together. Apples can influence nearby produce, and strongly scented crops can share odors. Ask your extension office for crop-by-crop guidance.

Label bins with crop and date so you use older food first, and check them regularly. A quick weekly look catches problems before they spread.

• Keep crops off the floor
• Use slatted crates for airflow
• Rotate older produce first

How do you control pests and mold?

Rodents are the main problem. Seal gaps, use screens, and keep the cellar clean. Remove rotting produce right away, since it spreads quickly.

Clean and dry the cellar each year before refilling. Some people lightly clean walls and shelves as the label allows. Ask your extension office about safe methods.

Pests are not only rodents. Fruit flies and mold also appear, so keep the cellar tidy and the vents screened. Avoid putting poison where children, pets or other animals can reach it.

What about home canned goods and cool storage?

Cool, dark and dry places are good for storing properly processed home canned food. A damp cellar can rust lids. Follow tested canning guidance from the National Center for Home Food Preservation and your extension office.

Never use storage conditions to make up for improperly processed food. If you have doubts about a jar, do not taste it, and ask your extension office what to do.

Cellar safety also covers lighting, steps and handrails. Falls on wet stairs are a common injury, so keep steps clear and use a good light. Never leave a cellar door in a state where someone could be trapped inside.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.