Cold food storage is a basic food preservation method. If you live in a climate with true winters (freezing temperatures), you have what you need to keep many vegetables and fruits in good condition for months after harvesting.
Cold storage won’t work for climates where it is warm all year round or where it doesn’t stay cold most of the winter.
Cold storage uses cool, moderately humid areas of your home to keep some kinds of food fresh for several months without modern day methods of freezing, refrigeration, or canning.
This is the way people kept food good through the winter for centuries before modern techniques were available.
Fruits: Apple, Pear
Vegetables: Dry beans, corn, garlic, onion, potato, sweet potato, winter squash, shallot, beet, cabbage, carrot, celery, leek, parsnip, rutabaga, turnip
For a complete list and how to harvest them, you can check out Mother Earth News.
Garlic, onion, pumpkin, shallot: store in boxes or mesh bags in a cool place with moderate humidity
Dry beans: store in airtight jars in cool, dark place
Parsnip, turnip, rutabaga: Refrigerate or pack in damp sand in a sealed container and store in a cold basement, garage or root cellar.
Potato: Store in closed boxes or cloth-covered baskets in a cool place with moderate humidity, or store in buried containers.
Pumpkin, winter squash, sweet potatoes: Store in bushel baskets or on shelves in a cool place with moderate humidity.
Carrot, celery: Refrigerate or pack in damp sand in a sealed container and store in a cold basement, garage or root cellar.
Apple, pear: Store in refrigerator or very cold place, below 40 degrees, in perforated plastic bags or waxed boxes to maintain high humidity. Check weekly.
I love this chart from Better Hens and Gardens that shows how long these foods will be good for in cold storage:
There are several ways to incorporate a cold storage system in your home.
Here are a few bloggers that have done this very well, so I will refer you to their blogs to learn more:
Set Up A Root Cellar In A Closet @ Simple Bites
Build Your Own Root Cellar Using An Old Refrigerator @ The Owner-Builder Network
Building An Underground Root Cellar @ Robert’s Projects
Root Cellar Storage Shelving @ Handimania
Cold storage is a great option for food preservation because it doesn’t require electricity or technology. All you need is a cool, dark place in your house with some humidity. You don’t need any fancy equipment and it doesn’t cost money to put into place.
Cold storage is a great way to keep some of your garden harvest longer than normal. It does take some thought before hand, but the payoff will be great.
You can use some of the links above to see how you can incorporate cold storage/root cellar at your homestead. Storing food all winter long, whether you use cold storage, canning, freezing or whatever, is a main homesteading ideal. It will help you be more self sufficient and rely on the food you have grown on your own instead of the grocery store.
Do you use cold storage methods for your homestead? Let us know what you do in the comments below. And if you found this post helpful, please share. Thanks!
Don't know where to start with homesteading?
Grab our checklist to show you how to make your dreams a reality, step by step.
When you sign up for our email list, you will get this PDF for free, along with weekly emails covering topics on gardening, homesteading, etc. Don't worry. We won't spam your inbox. You can unsubscribe any time.
I was intrigued, but a bit disappointed I couldn’t use this method as it is warm here most of the time. I have problems preserving fruits and vegetables that’s why I’m looking for ways. Thanks.
Yes. I know. I grew up in Texas and we couldn’t do it either. But it works great for those that can. I guess it’s back to canning, freezing and dehydrating.