Book: Root Cellaring

The best book on Root Cellaring I have read is: Root Cellaring by Mike and Nancy Bubel. I like where the author starts in the first chapter, in a discussion of what crops to grow for winter storage. Having a plan for what you plan to store in your root cellar will assure success.

I especially enjoyed chapter 2, which not only suggest "beets" but lists beet varieties that have proven good keepers, and suggested suppliers for that variety of beets. There is a list of several varieties for each food type.

In the last part of the book, there are some excellent drawings and photos of root cellars. There are ample notes, stories and ideas to help guide in your own cellar project.

I came away after reading the book being sold on our need for a root cellar. I think it is an excellent way to remove dependence on electricity to keep food cool and preserved for a longer time period. Before you start a cellar project, I would suggest your reading this book. There is enough reference material in it, I would suggest you purchase it.


Following are the Book Contents:

Chapter 1         Planting Crops for Fall Storage
Chapter 2         Good Keepers
Chapter 3         Growers Keepers: How to raise top-quality storage vegetables
Chapter 4         How to Harvest and Prepare Vegetables for Storage
Chapter 5         Life After Picking
Chapter 6         Spoilage
Chapter 7         Food Value in Winter Keepers
Chapter 8         Vegetables
Chapter 9         Fruits
Chapter 10       The Underground Garden
Chapter 11       Other Good Foods to Keep in Natural Cold Storage
Chapter 12       Trenches, Keeping-Closets, and Other Vegetable and Fruit Hideaways
Chapter 13       Planning Your Root Cellar
Chapter 14       Keeping Things Humming in the Root Cellar
Chapter 15       The Basement Root Cellar
Chapter 16       The Excavated Root Cellar
Chapter 17       Root Cellaring Experiences
Chapter 18       Cooking Sturdy Keepers