I knew you couldn't resist with a subject like that. Actually, I'm not describing my work , but this article from Mother Earth NEws. Seems like a great way to do it in the PNW:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/homestea ... z3IuFPA817
John S
PDX OR
Good idea… I think.. Not much to look at but not too hard to disguise, I think..
I’ve a book on ‘root cellaring’ but have noticed we in the PNW need more cold than we get. I’ve an innovative uncle who built one underground (done right) as he remembered from the Midwest but ‘out here,’ there wasn’t enough cold to make it viable.
But we’ve relatively cheap hydropower, or so I’m told.. So running an actual refrigerator in a garage or basement is likely our best bet. But good luck finding one that’s not ‘self-defrosting,’ thus constantly sucking the moisture from it’s contents. ...I think that ‘same uncle’ told me to buy a freezer, non or less ‘defrosting,’ then replace it’s thermostat with that of a refrigerator… I haven't ~
I just put most of mine in an out building. Stays cool from about now on to say April. Most fruits do store better at colder than our typical cool season temps. Closer to 32 is better. Also so much rain can flood a hole in the ground. That's why I thought an old fridge might make sense. Critter proof, cool, cheap, flood proof. I think in the article it doesn't plug in. Just a light for really cold-say in the teens F. I might try some container like that some day.
Anyone else tried it? Old timers talked about burying Golden Russets so they didn't shrivel!
John S
PDX OR
After I harvested my red onions this summer I put them in a paper bag on the covered back deck and then forgot about them. While I was in Thailand in November the temperatures dropped down to around 20 degrees.
The onions are still in the bag. I expected them to be soft and shriveled but they are crisp and still better than the ones from the produce store.
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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