Root Cellar Update | How to Store Your Root Veggies for the Winter

Today we are harvesting some more veggies from the garden and storing them in the root cellar. I will show you some tricks I've learned to keep your root veggies fresh for months!
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[@LittleMountainRanch]

I just wanted to let you know that even if you aren't on Instagram and you still want to see my stories (short videos called Instagram Stories) you can click the link in the description box above and you should be able to see what I'm posting. If you click on the round picture beside my name you'll be able to see the stories. You can also scroll through all the pictures I post, too. I hope that helps anyone who wants to see ,but doesn't want an account. Let me know if this works for you.

[@4philipp]

That sounds like a good solution. Thank you Chelsea

[@jobrown7647]

Hey Chelsea - Okay now I am convinced you are a mind reader! I've just been mulling over how I'm going to store my root vegetables this year. We do have a root cellar and always store potatoes which last really well - I just put them in wooden boxes which are not airtight. This year I have enough roots (carrots, beets & parsnips) to want to store them and now thanks to you I have an idea how to do that. I also have a few cabbages to store and will also try your method. Thanks - very timely information from you!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

That's awesome - I'm glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@soverylisa]

Very informative video. You really covered a lot of storage issues that I had wondered about. Thank you.

[@4philipp]

Looks like 200 pounds of sand for each 100 pounds of carrots, lol. I’m thinking to make the carrot removal faster and easier, maybe put some kind of mash layer in between each carrot layer. Turning it into batch removal. I have never seen anyone store cabbage with the roots on, that’s interesting. If you use two round boards, like curtain rod size, you could hang the cabbage on it with the roots pointing down. Unless there is a reason why that’s not a good idea. Good to see the larder filling up :)

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I have a 8 month old cabbage with that method. I learned it from an old homestead - it works!

[@KoalityofLife]

I never would have thought about storing things in sand. What veggies does this work with other than carrots?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I've done beets, turnips and parsnips that way, but I've read you can also do potatoes, radishes and leeks, too.

[@KoalityofLife]

@@LittleMountainRanch Thank you. :)

[@dioniciawebster9957]

Are there issues with rodents?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I’ve had an issue once but the cats take care of most rodent issues.

[@normamccomas9272]

xxxooo

[@nancykeyser-miller7685]

You can order milk crates from Amazon. I love mine...they don't say property of ____dairy. Lol

[@LittleMountainRanch]

You just became my milk crate hero!

[@dlee3710]

Better to get them from US plastic in ohio rather than chinazon. Imo

[@laura-annstewart627]

After watching this video I need a root cellar or cold room.

[@anniegaddis5240]

Me too!

[@KatherineWalden]

Great tips - I wish my parents knew this when I was a kid. They bought root veggies in bulk. Those shrivelled carrots were just so gross. My mom tried to hide them in stews.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

LOL - that's awesome.

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

💝💝💝I loved this video; it was so informative about root cellar storage, something I know very little about. I love seeing how the children help and bring a bit of fun and laughter to the chore. Thank you! (Isn't it heartwarming how even itty bitties want to help, participate, and learn.)

[@outsidewithjeff]

When would you say you would have planted the cabbages in the garden that were harvested in this video approximately of course.? Thank you

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Somewhere around the end of May early June.

[@dans4270]

Just watched a video of a lady who buries her cabbage in the garden. Puts it in upside down and covers it with dirt just the root sticks lut. She was pulling them out in February.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

That wouldn’t work here. Our ground freezes solid for 6 months. I wish, though!

[@dans4270]

@@LittleMountainRanch what state are you in? I'm here in N.Y.

[@angelikabertrand4045]

Why not make your own sauer kraut? Its easy to make .a old wiskey barrel. Kosher salt. Cumin seed.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I do make it and have a crock going right now, but most of my family doesn't like it, so I don't make a ton.

[@ChickaWoofRanch]

If we were better gardeners I would love to have a root cellar. I'll have to remember the wet sand tip if we ever get a tornado shelter/root cellar. When we found our place I was most excited for our barn... the house was nice but when we got out of the car, we walked the property/barn first and looked at the house last. Thanks for sharing!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Sounds like me! Dan knew when he saw the barn it was over for me. 😉

[@toddfischer4661]

I would love to build a root cellar as well! (Also need to focus on my garden). Try storing some things in your well....

[@dollyperry3020]

Where are the potatoes: ) also you can add plastic curtains to compartamentalize the cellar and reduce the odor transfer.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

The humidity is too high for potatoes so I keep them in the cold room in my basement. Curtains - great idea!

[@robinmcmillen7917]

I love your harvest you have a beautiful place

[@jardinpetitbassin3787]

Awesome! Very informative! Martine🇨🇦

[@RuralCanadianMom]

How often do you water the sand with carrots?

[@sylviabradley7355]

Wow, 90 degrees in central Illinois today. The cabbages are incredible.

[@crystalkoelzer1367]

Thank you for the video. Next summer we plan to build a root cellar in our basement before all our apple trees take off.

[@carolynmoody9460]

Good little helper's .. Makes mom's job easier!!! Blessings

[@jimlove4541]

Have you tried taking the cabbage and putting them back in the ground upside down?

[@PetalsonthePavingSlabs]

Really enjoyed watching this thank you- we dont have a root cellar as such, its more like any cupboard or shelf in the house that has space is crammed full of jars / bottles / containers of preserved food!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

That's awesome! There are so many great ways to store food - right now I have a bunch of squash that wouldn't fit in my cold room under one the the kids' bed. 🙂

[@YouCantEatTheGrass]

I'm so jealous of your root cellar, lol. Our new place is completely flat, so it would be a tough sell to convince Ian to build me one. Your harvest looks amazing!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thanks! There's some super cool ideas for building root cellars on flat ground - I'll bet you could convince him. I can't believe how much work you guys have done since you moved in. Super inspiring!

[@bonnied3550]

Thank you for sharing, Great topic for discussion regarding storing of harvest produce😃 What temperature is needed in storing of produce like you do in the cellar?? Do you need to worry about pests/varmints getting into?? My garage gets pretty cold in the winter but my concern would be that it might draw mice in?? Since space is an issue for storing, especially whole produce, is it possible to store in totes outside?? I'm assuming there might need to be some kind of air circulation?? Would love to hear about other means of storage for the living in an urban situation, Bruce's canning, freezing, fermenting. Just storing whole produce, thank you in advance-:)

[@LittleMountainRanch]

11 degrees is a good storage temp or as close to that as you can get. You can put wire over your bins to keep out mice if that’s an issue. I usually have a few veg with bite marks but nothing serious. If your garage stays above freezing you could store in bins. You need to make sure your veg has air circulation, so if you use totes either use the sand method in one of my videos with wire on top, or cut holes in your tubs. Hope that helps! More videos on this topic to come when preserving season starts up here.😊

[@adambrown3083]

You can buy milk crates very cheaply now at Walmart, at least here in Ontario. I think they're something like $3 each. New, black ones. Every time I go, I buy a couple and use them to crate home my purchases. Then they're off to the root cellar in the fall.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

That’s great news! Do you ask for them or are they a product they sell In the store?

[@adambrown3083]

@@LittleMountainRanch They're for sale in the store, on the shelf. In my nearest store, they're stacked in the stationery section for some reason, alongside the notebooks and such.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thank you. I’ll take a look next time I’m there.

[@suzy3840]

Great information to have. Thank you!

[@suzyq6767]

a farmer's wealth

[@Farmboy2917]

I have been storing my carrots in peat moss for 30 years , A large plastic garbage container , a layer of peat moss, then a layer of carrots . Peat moss is a sterile medium and bugs cannot survive in this. Also cut about 1/2 inch off the top, and snip off the root of the carrots . This will prevent them from trying to sprout during storage, No need to wet the peat moss. These carrots will keep in your root cellar right up to the next crop.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thank you for the tip!!

[@KoalityofLife]

The view behind you is amazing. You can see forever especially now that the smoke is gone. :)

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I'm go grateful to be able to see it again.

[@lindasands1433]

Very useful. Thanks so much

[@modi8601]

best editing pack ty sooo much

[@yahushaismyshepherd1179]

I know I am overthinking this. But could you define damp sand. Do you spritz it with water between layer? Pre moisten the sand?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

No, good question. I hose it down until it’s evenly moist but not saturated.

[@georgeb9651]

Good info and a very nice family good for you

[@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291]

Have you ever accidentally brought some type of pest that eats vegetables into your root cellar? Like a bug or something that hitched a ride from the garden because they were hiding in the plant somewhere?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Nope, most have very short life spans.

[@sirarthurdayne127]

Dirt or Sand?

[@ThesmartestTem]

We have a stack of milk crates in our garage up to the ceiling. I can just toss carrots and beets right in there and pop them in my basement pantry? The temp and humidity are pretty even down there year long.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Oh how I wish I lived close enough to beg some of those off you. 😉 and yes, as long as it’s cool enough that should work.

[@TheBahamabob]

Fine job. Surprise! I don’t remember in 7 decades ever seeing Brussels Sprouts growing on a stalk. Wow. Since we don’t always even get a hard freeze you explained why. I’ve never liked them because of bitterness. Now it’s revealed why. Thanks from city folks who are clueless.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Clueless, Bob, I don't think so, but it brings me a smile to know I showed you something new. 😉

[@annettem14]

Great video! I sure learned something new about storing carrots, I had no idea! Thanks Chelsea

[@LittleMountainRanch]

You're welcome, my friend.

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

I remember when you just bought that place. I commented then that it was nice to have a root cellar. first time I get to see the inside. it's just like mine except your's looks a little bigger. another thing I think should be mentioned about storing carrots is that when you take some out to use, remove sand from the bin to uncover the top layer rather than digging in and feeling for them. because if you dig in, you'll end up making carrots touch and they will start to rot at the touch point.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Such a great tip! I always just dig around, but it makes complete sense not to. Thank you.

[@FarmerE]

Great tips, thanks for sharing! Greetings from Norway!

[@ArtAFactInc]

awesome girl

[@meimeijiang5945]

I like ur smile!

[@dans4270]

Nice video 👍🏼

[@mubashirp5419]

Spr vedio

[@phikticious]

aren't the apples going to ripen the rest of your stuff quicker?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

There’s enough air circulation in there that it doesn’t seem to be an issue.

[@mubashirp5419]

Thank you

[@TheBonnieberry]

I have never successfully grown carrots in my life...we did have parsnips but we ate all...love your Mom...you just know she has wisdom beyond her years...a smart cookie...we have been deluged by heavy rains Grant is driving home from Cape Breton today a long but gorgeous drive ahead...have a great day sweet girl...

[@TheBonnieberry]

you amaze me ...in this modern day there are so few hard working peeps and you my dear are a hard worker...such an inspiration to this generation.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

My mom is a gem and is a big part of why I live the way I do. She raised me during my young years much in the way I'm raising my kids and I will forever be grateful to her for that.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thank you for always being so uplifting and encouraging. 💚💚

[@thehiddenhaven5486]

We covered our carrots one time with sand (I think it was dry sand🤨) and the carrots completely disappeared, couldn’t find one! They must have disintegrated? Was very odd! Great video 👍

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Yup, that dry sand will do it!

[@Farmboy2917]

@@LittleMountainRanch I have been storing my carrots in peat moss for 30 years , A large plastic garbage container , a layer of peat moss, then a layer of carrots . Peat moss is a sterile medium and bugs cannot survive in this. Also cut about 1/2 inch off the top, and snip off the root of the carrots . This will prevent them from trying to sprout during storage, No need to wet the peat moss. These carrots will keep right up to the next crop.

[@365daysofveronica]

Okay help lol I don’t have a root cellar (live in a suburbs) but I’m starting my veggie garden this year. What temperature do the carrots need to stay at? Also any advice for storing potato’s and onions for the winter? Any advice is welcomed ❣️

[@xxnekonekox]

Does it matter if we take the dirt off of the roots of brussel sprout stalk?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

As long as the soil is really dry, it’s fine. If it’s damp get as much off as you can and make sure it’s dry before going into storage. Good luck!

[@kellie5393]

This summer was the first time I have ever grown Brussels sprouts. The actual sprouts are still not very big. You mentioned that letting them go through some frosts is a good thing. Do they seem to grow a bit faster once the weather cools a bit? Thanks for any advice. My 20 year old daughter discovered that she loves them this summer and I am excited to have some home grown ones for her. 😀

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Yes! They love the cool weather and mine really bulked out when the temps went down.

[@kellie5393]

Little Mountain Ranch that’s good to hear. I just went out and removed more of the bottom leaves too.

[@joannewilson6847]

Wow, wish I could buy a root cellar. I had never heard of one. You have given some great information on preserving eges for a period of time. Your a real farmer girl, great job. Take care, cuddles, Jo, Wauchope, Australia xxxxxx

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

there is a fiberglass premade root cellar you can buy and bury. I think it better to make one with concrete because concrete is porous and so humidity will always be about right.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Hugs, Jo! 💚

[@melissalan8105]

Hi!! So are you saying you can put the carrot in milk crate instead of in wet sand? Thank you

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Yes, as long as where you’re storing has high humidity!

[@melissalan8105]

@@LittleMountainRanch Thank you!!

[@juliejohnson9531]

Thanks for your video! Very informative. I can't wait to learn more. I'm gonna go check out your other videos! :)

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Welcome! I hope you enjoy what you find. :)

[@PracticalModernHomestead]

That is similar to how we store our potatoes in sawdust.

[@donbethune383]

Store you apples separately. They release a gas { ethylene } that causes ripening and rotting. A rotten apple can spoil the whole barrel, as they say.

[@lisabooker6405]

Loved this! Super informative and I LOVE your root cellar. I’ve always been a firm believer that simple is always better. Yes, gidgety gadgets can be fun but way more complicated! I’m a no drama type gal so give me simple and easy and I’m happy. LOL Loved it! TFS! God Bless ~Lisa

[@rogaineablar5608]

Don't forget you can eat the cabbage & sprouts leaves you removed prior to storage.

[@christinedavidson5633]

The Doggo is like "stop talking 'bout carrots, talk about meeeeeee"

[@pammohler3253]

I tried that and mine rotted. 😢

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Oh no! How much water did you use? Mine are still doing great - a little bit of sprouting but still firm.

[@donbethune383]

Thanks for the tour it has given me several ideas to improve my food storage!

[@007darryl]

What, no potatoes? 🍟

[@LittleMountainRanch]

The humidity is too high so I keep them in the cold room in the house. I’ll show you that next week.

[@MrArtbyart]

Any rodent or insect infestations? ty

[@toddfischer4661]

Great video! Loved the cabbage harvest in fast time. Your cabbage looks amazing!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Hi Todd! Great to 'see' you!

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Very awesome...ty

[@anniegaddis5240]

Put all those beautiful leaves you pulled off, through a shredder and make next Spring's compost with them!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I just through them in the compost. Is it better to shred them?

[@wandaduckworth1357]

Smaller pieces would break down faster ! Just a thought ! Blessings !

[@sandyerby4936]

Loved your video.heres my problem..every time I plant cabbage..they start out great. But they are infested with worms..do you have any suggestions??thanks

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Worms seem to have been a big issue this past year for a lot of people. I don't have that issue here in our area, but I found this website for you with some good tips. vomitingchicken.com/natural-ways-to-get-rid-of-those-nasty-cabbage-moths/ Best of luck!

[@candicechristensen1753]

Could you put an old blanket or something over the apples? Would that make them rot or keep them from getting cabbage taste?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I think that might work!

[@uuuu-ht5of]

Thank you for your videos. I'm learning so much

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I’m so glad!

[@poodledaddles1091]

beautiful!

[@moregardening5014]

I got so far behind on my favorite KZbin channels, but I’m loving getting caught up on yours! I would love love to have a root cellar! You’re so lucky you have one!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Happy to see you back here. :)

[@MsJNix]

I love the way you keep your carrots in the root cellar but those bins of carrots with wet sand look very heavy to move and get down into the cellar.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Not too hard to move with two people and no stairs in the cellar.🙂

[@herve160181]

Wow, so much produce. You could almost hit up a farmers market to sell some. 🙂

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Hey there! We will easily eat all of this ourselves, but for next year I'm playing with the idea of growing more to sell.

[@garydutko119]

Do you ever have problems with mice or small critters eating the veggies you store in the root cellar?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Great question! I did one year, but not again, so I'm hoping it won't be an issue. If it is, my plan is to put everything into the big tubs with tiny mesh over the top and hopefully that will work to keep them out.

[@ericastevens4067]

I wish you lived close by to me. I really enjoy your videos.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

That's such a compliment, thank you!

[@kipviteo2274]

I have been on a quest for those milk crates for a year now to store water.

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I found some on Amazon but they are 36.00. Ouch.

[@swedishdogs3327]

Can veggies be stored in metal tubs, glass, wood containers etc the same way as in plastic containers?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Sure, but the wood would break down with the moisture. I’d love not to use plastic, too.

[@BackToNature123]

I remember mum putting them in an old bathtub in the cellar, presumably enamel as it was old even in the 1980s

[@evan-oliver228]

what temperature is the cellar and how do you keep it this way?

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Around 11 degrees Celsius . It stays that was year around on its own.

[@evan-oliver228]

@@LittleMountainRanch WOW! I will do that! Thank you!!

[@anniegaddis5240]

Sharing!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Thank you!

[@NS-pf2zc]

Love it! I want a cellar soooo badly and can hardly wait to get one made! Also, you month of meals is fun to follow on instagram! ♥️

[@LittleMountainRanch]

Oh good! I felt like maybe I was posting too much. 🙂

[@NS-pf2zc]

Little Mountain Ranch - Oh not at all!!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

From what I understand you can see them without an account, but you need one to comment. If you click on the little round pic beside my name you can see the little videos I post everyday, called instagram stories. That's where I am posting my daily food pics.

[@HHeirloomIA]

Superb tips! Can you store winter squash in there as well? How about potatoes or sweet potatoes? Would those go in sand also? 😁

[@LittleMountainRanch]

The humidity is too high for potatoes - I keep them in the cold room in the house with the squash. I think I'll put a few squash in there to test it out, but I know for sure they last in the cold room so I'll leave most of them there for now.

[@HHeirloomIA]

@@LittleMountainRanch good to know! I keep winter squash in the basement food room. Potatoes: sweet and starchy in a dark, dry cabinet in the mudroom. Just wondered about them in the root cellar. ☺

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I know I've seem people store potatoes in a root cellar, but maybe the humidity in mine is higher than most...

[@HHeirloomIA]

@@LittleMountainRanch possibly because it is of pioneer quality and not "new" materials..?

[@Manyroots.growing]

Do you ever need to wet the sand to add dampness to keep through the whole winter? And also, have you ever stored any veggies in wood ash? Thanks!

[@LittleMountainRanch]

I'm just about to film an update video on this. Yes, dampening the sand can be needed if the humidity is low in the root cellar, which mine is this year for some reason. I've not tried wood ash, but I don't know how that would work without dampening it. I have to look into that.