4.37

5

Nov 28, 2010

If you have ever wondered how Ma in "Little House in the Big Woods" kept all her produce and harvest bounty so that Laura had good things to eat in January and never developed scurvy, this book answers all your questions. I can't believe there are so many methods to storing produce, besides canning and freezing, and I can't believe that I didn't know them before my 37th year. I did, after all, live in Iowa for the first decade of my life. Genetically I'm programmed to understand agriculture and If you have ever wondered how Ma in "Little House in the Big Woods" kept all her produce and harvest bounty so that Laura had good things to eat in January and never developed scurvy, this book answers all your questions. I can't believe there are so many methods to storing produce, besides canning and freezing, and I can't believe that I didn't know them before my 37th year. I did, after all, live in Iowa for the first decade of my life. Genetically I'm programmed to understand agriculture and eat corn. Right?

Quite simply, this is one of the best organized, informative, well written gardening reference books I have ever read. Be warned: Reading it makes one consider (however fleetingly) living off the land in some remote place and attempting to become self sufficient. Merely reading it once will not be enough for the farmer at heart. I will be buying my copy off Amazon soon. ...more

4

Aug 10, 2012

A good book for building a root cellar. Includes information on what temperate and condition to keep numerous vegetables as well as many options for creating space both inside the house and out to keep those vegetable through the winter. There are excellent suggestions on where and how to build a storage facility to leave our home grown or locally grown produce in good shape for eating right through until spring.

4

Aug 21, 2008

Has almost as much about how to plan, grow, and harvest food for root cellaring as it does about making a root cellar (makes sense, of course). Pretty awesome. I like that it has very detailed fancy options, but also descriptions of people doing things much more simply. And that there are plenty of options that work if you're not out in the country. Looking forward to trying some of this ourselves next season!

5

Oct 08, 2008

Very comprehensive book on root cellaring--truly the bible it was claimed to be. It made me mourn the dirt-floored section in our basement that we covered over with cement. Why? Oh why? How will we ever achieve 90-95% humidity now. Wail.

4

Mar 15, 2011

Great information: the why and the how with plenty of details to actually get started.

5

I have alwats wanted to make my own root cellar and this book gives me many ideas and also information on what to store. Very good bookFull Review

4

Mar 03, 2010

This book gives a lot of great information not just on root cellaring! It makes root cellaring approachable for anyone, even if you don't have and actual "root cellar." I especially enjoyed the first half of this book that gives information on when to start different vegetables and different ways for storing them. Recommended!

3

Aug 11, 2008

Actually only read parts of this, mostly because I'm pretty sure that there is no way I'm going to construct a root cellar in our backyard. But I think I'm reasonably reassured that it might be possible to store winter onions in our sunroom, so it's not be a complete waste. Might be worth having around for future reference, for a different location or a harder time, perhaps.

3

Jul 15, 2009

I loved this book, and thought it was very comprehensive and easy-to-read. Of course, this comes from the perspective of someone who knew absolutely nothing about root cellaring before I read the book. There are black and white photos and diagrams that show you how to build a root cellar, but you may have to do some supplemental research.

5

May 21, 2010

Using this book, I built a wonderful and functional root cellar in an unheated basement room. This winter, it is keeping a temperature of around 38 degrees. It's like having a walk-in fridge. It is filled with veggies from the summer garden, plus my canning. It cost me about $35 in insulation and materials. A gem.

5

Apr 01, 2010

An excellent resource for anyone looking for ways to preserve fresh fruit and vegetables. Some are simple, some require construction... it's all a matter of what you need and are able to do. Cellaring requires little to no energy use, and virtually anyone can find suitable space and materials.

I can't imagine there is a better book out there on this subject.

3

Oct 22, 2008

Wouldn't it be great to have your own fresh veges all winter long that you grew yourself! I thinks so but I was a little disappointed that it is so complicated. Different vegetables need to be stored at different temperatures etc. There are lots of ways to do it though. At least you can easily store winter squash in your basement at a warmer temperature and they will last nicely.

3

Jul 15, 2010

Three stars as i think the book too quickly makes the assumption that there is a time where the ground is frozen in all areas. Living near the SF bay it just doesn't get that cold here. Even still there were lessons to be learned about how/where to store goodies. There are inventive ideas like under existing porches and in closets along side the giant built structures or full basement conversions. The explanations were extremely detailed with great diagrams and easy to understand.

4

Apr 06, 2016

One of my other hobbies is gardening. My wife and I have been becoming more self sufficient each year. We can some. We freeze much. We enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. My great grandmother had a root cellar and I wondered if it might be right for me. This book gives you an in-depth look at what to grow, how to store it, and how to cook it. The book is delightful and I recommend it to anyone interested in food preservation.

3

Dec 30, 2013

I'm really impressed with how thorough, yet concise this book it. The chapters are short and divided in a way that you can skip to exactly the topic you need without missing out. I was afraid there wasn't going to be much usable information for an apartment renting city dweller like myself, but I was wrong. The author's take into account multiple living situations for most of the information they give and even include a section for planning your garden (community, porch, or backyard) with an eye I'm really impressed with how thorough, yet concise this book it. The chapters are short and divided in a way that you can skip to exactly the topic you need without missing out. I was afraid there wasn't going to be much usable information for an apartment renting city dweller like myself, but I was wrong. The author's take into account multiple living situations for most of the information they give and even include a section for planning your garden (community, porch, or backyard) with an eye to storing over the winter. Really useful book and it has inspired me to get serious with the little community garden plot I rent. ...more

4

Jan 29, 2009

"This is a truly comprehensive reference on root cellaring: selection of storage vegetables, planting strategies, storage techniques, construction information on various styles of root cellars, descriptions of actual root cellars, and recipes to use with storage vegetables. The book is well-organized and thorough, with good illustrations and photos, as well as nice reference tables. I felt the descriptions of actual root cellars dragged and wasn't excited by many of the recipes they suggested "This is a truly comprehensive reference on root cellaring: selection of storage vegetables, planting strategies, storage techniques, construction information on various styles of root cellars, descriptions of actual root cellars, and recipes to use with storage vegetables. The book is well-organized and thorough, with good illustrations and photos, as well as nice reference tables. I felt the descriptions of actual root cellars dragged and wasn't excited by many of the recipes they suggested (in particular use of nonseasonable ingredients that can't be stored in a root cellar) but I think this is probably the best root cellar bible out there. I plan to buy this one for myself." ...more

5

Jul 24, 2016

This is a must read. I love the opening quote. Our children should enter adulthood with basic knowledge of how to store food over winter without the cooperation of a nuclear power plant a hundred miles away. every animal in the forest is taught this skill; we owe our children no less.

This is basic knowledge that all our children should not only learn but experience. Nit is what it means to be free. When we loosed these basic skills of thanking care of our selves we become dependent on someone This is a must read. I love the opening quote. Our children should enter adulthood with basic knowledge of how to store food over winter without the cooperation of a nuclear power plant a hundred miles away. every animal in the forest is taught this skill; we owe our children no less.

This is basic knowledge that all our children should not only learn but experience. Nit is what it means to be free. When we loosed these basic skills of thanking care of our selves we become dependent on someone else and no longer have free will.

Not only will this book if practiced will make our youth better prepared to be free but it will help save the world. Thanks for helping me and my family. ...more

5

May 09, 2014

This book completely revolutionized the way I see my own home!

The Bubels opened my eyes to the possibilities we ALL have at our fingertips for storing our food. From fruits and veggies to nuts, cheese, meats and mushrooms.

This book walks you through everything you should know about root cellaring. The site selection and design of root cellars or other cold storage options (clamps, cold closets, etc.), the proper way to store various food items, even some methods of how to grow food that will This book completely revolutionized the way I see my own home!

The Bubels opened my eyes to the possibilities we ALL have at our fingertips for storing our food. From fruits and veggies to nuts, cheese, meats and mushrooms.

This book walks you through everything you should know about root cellaring. The site selection and design of root cellars or other cold storage options (clamps, cold closets, etc.), the proper way to store various food items, even some methods of how to grow food that will store longer. With plenty of real world examples the Bubels illustrate that although we all have different resources to work with, it doesn't have to be a 100% perfect root cellar to reap huge rewards from the effort you put in to it.

I had zero experience with root cellaring, but this book makes the principles and goals of the practice clear and manageable. I truly believe this is a knowledge we all deserve. In the same spirit that Gayla Trail's Grow Great Grub helps one grow amazing food in spaces they once thought were too small, Root Cellaring will help folks find ways to store their food, even without a huge basement. Even if you don't grow your own food it's nice to know how to properly store the food you buy so you waste less and eat more!

This book is for anyone who is looking to spend a little less at the grocery store, to be and feel a little more self-sufficient, to walk a little lighter on this Earth. Bountiful harvest and well stocked food reserves are the most fulfilling way to feel truly wealthy in today's convenience driven society. I absolutely loved this book and appreciate the author's passion and research.

...more

4

Mar 16, 2017

Any book that shows something as innovative as driving a truck into a hole in a hillside for use as a root cellar is a-ok with me.

4

Nov 05, 2016

Very clear and concisely written.. A very practical book on how to keep your hard work from "spoiling".

5

Jun 14, 2019

I love this book. Lots of good information. I lost my copy of this book in a wildfire in Northern California. I am going to re-purchase it again.

3

Aug 11, 2019

A handy guide about a timeless practice. Easy to read, helpful diagrams. It even includes some recipies. Has me musing aboit how we can set up a root cellar at home!

3

May 17, 2018

The book seems to be a rather complete beginner's guide to storing fruits and vegetables. If you have the time to waste.

4

Oct 09, 2017

Pretty authoritative book on building and using a root cellar. There's enough detail in here that you will probably want to consult it as a reference (which means I should probably buy a copy).

5

Jun 30, 2019

I picked this book up hoping to find detailed plans and technical requirements for constructing a long lasting root cellar. I got that and so much more! The user experiences of different homesteaders were particularly useful, as was the growing guide and storage tips for various root cellar friendly crops. No wonder that many decades later, this is still the go to guide for root cellaring.