Making a root closet. How to store root veggies long term when you don’t have a cold room/basement

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  • Опубликовано: 2 дек 2024

Комментарии • 104

  • @dancingitalianurbanfarm8078
    @dancingitalianurbanfarm8078 6 часов назад

    You do what you gotta do to make things work for you and your family. Thats all anyone can do. We’re all storing things in closets and under beds. Those that have the funds and space for root cellars and such are those that were once where we are. Don’t get discouraged. You’re doing great.

  • @CynthiaBryantify
    @CynthiaBryantify День назад +7

    I love the idea. I don’t have space either and no basement. I would put the light items up high (paper products (until you find a place for them). Move that heavy box of carrots lower. As you use them it will be harder to reach inside. Break down the package of bulk paper products and put them on the highest shelves … easier to grab a light item off of high shelves!😃❤️

  • @pamtippett1589
    @pamtippett1589 День назад +7

    The only way I’ve been able to successfully store Vidalia sweet onions long-term is to freeze them. They are the only onions hubby will eat but they are too juicy to store any other way. I chop and slice them, put them in a sandwich bag (one onion’s worth of chopped bits or slices per bag) then put those little bags in freezer bags. 25 lbs of onions gets us through the year.

  • @13MoonsOverMayhem
    @13MoonsOverMayhem День назад +2

    If you don’t have easy access to sawdust and you want to use that, you can buy pine horse bedding pellets and wet them, they expand into sawdust. And they’re pretty cheap, usually between $6-$8 for a 40 lb. bag.

  • @joankelley3772
    @joankelley3772 День назад +4

    I have those metal shelves also. I went to Dollar Tree and bought a bunch of vinyl placemats so smaller items stay steady on the shelves, you can also use any cardboard. Love that shoe rack idea!

  • @teresahodge4639
    @teresahodge4639 День назад +2

    Thank you for showing us the real you. I feel so much better about my "office, cat room, laundry, storage" room area. It is a free for all dumping ground with all my supplies. You make being real so much easier. I also love the shoe rack over the closet door. Brilliant. I will get one for my jars.

  • @Brinksgal1
    @Brinksgal1 День назад +2

    Seeing that room makes me feel sooooo much better!!! Yes, that is real life.

  • @billydonna5864
    @billydonna5864 День назад +7

    For the onions , use those cheesy closet extender hangers(the ones you put 4 hangers on then unhook one side to make a "cascade of hangers". Hook a bag on each hangers hole and let them cascade down the side of your closet.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +1

      That's a great idea! I'm going to look for those hangers!

    • @tammyf8921
      @tammyf8921 День назад +2

      Oh I wish I lived by her as I have a few of those hangers in my donation pile in my garage.😅

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад

      @@tammyf8921 Bummer! Maybe you can use them this way.

    • @tammyf8921
      @tammyf8921 День назад

      @@LittleHillHomesteadGa I don’t have the vertical space unless we put them in the basement. I tend to forget about things I put down there.😂🤣🙃

  • @longarmsupplies
    @longarmsupplies День назад +1

    It's like we're twins. I do this too. Get a big burst of energy to get things changed and set up. Then start something new, and set it somewhere to "deal with later". Well, that kicked me in the butt when we moved into a very small house with no basement and |'m still waiting for the garage to get finished(over a year later). It's still gravel base. Oh, the piles of exciting things I found when I moved. Thankfully, the old farm house is in the yard where we moved to and I can store my empty canning jars and some of my craft stuff. I'm fighting mice in there but I think I'm winning the fight.

  • @lisaturner6297
    @lisaturner6297 День назад +1

    If you’ve enough depth between door & shelving, hang the onions from the pocket openings. Such a wonderful Root Closet & fantastic idea!!! I live in south FL where there’s neither basements nor garage food storage, due to heat. I truly love your idea 😊

  • @cathiefarr9698
    @cathiefarr9698 День назад +1

    I live by myself in a three bedroom mobile home. You’d think I would have oodles of room… nope. I need more room. 😂😂 I also have a two shelf bin in my kitchen. I put a thick (5) layer between the onions and potatoes and they’re both doing great.

  • @jazzyj6095
    @jazzyj6095 День назад +3

    I live in Decatur, Georgia. The farmers market you are talking about is pretty big. It's an outdoor market with several rows of farmer stands grouped by product. There's also a store there (Hamper Hose), where they sell shrink wrap bags, bows, baskets etc.. in bulk for amazing prices. In DeKalb County (Decatur) is the International Farmers market. It's an indoor market and honestly, it has so many spices, wines, nuts, cheeses, organic meats, fresh baked breads etc ... Then there are the Farmers markets that chefs shop. We are surrounded by farmers markets of many varieties and sizes.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +2

      I had planned to go to the indoor one but haven’t made it there in 10 years. Maybe I’ll make a point next year. I’m totally looking up that store with the bags. Thanks for the info!

  • @southernmimi
    @southernmimi День назад +4

    I've been looking for a way to store vegetables in winter without a root cellar. My closet stays very cool so this will work perfectly. Thank you!

  • @TrishasHouse
    @TrishasHouse День назад +1

    Awesome idea❤

  • @rachelmandoka7423
    @rachelmandoka7423 День назад +1

    I live in Michigan, to store potatoes, sweet potatoes, boxes are used putting them between layers of dirt.

  • @lorimcmichael5846
    @lorimcmichael5846 21 час назад +1

    Getting to the carrots is going to be a pain- I would put the paper goods up high and put the carrots on the floor- easier to open the lid. And the onions - I would put hooks in the ceiling- as far away from potatoes as possible😊

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  20 часов назад +1

      I’ll have to think about that. It’s always a work in progress.

  • @belieftransformation
    @belieftransformation 15 часов назад

    Great progress & good ideas for storage! I don’t think the plastic over-the-door storage will hold the weight of more squash, so maybe something lighter in weight with the few squash will work? 🤗🇨🇦🌻

  • @richardlynngarst3728
    @richardlynngarst3728 День назад +3

    My biggest obstacle is finding a dark spot that stays cool. Our house is so un-insulated that I fight mildew in my clothes closet during our hot and humid summers. But this video is a big help (especially seeing the real life part which helps me know I am not alone in the fight against stuff “around the corner” because sadly my mantra is “for the time being”). Thank you!!!

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +4

      The milder is from no airflow. Throw a small fan or pop the door a tiny bit. It’s been a week and the isle of crap is still cleaned up and gone! 😂

    • @bonnie5601
      @bonnie5601 День назад +2

      This is a very clever idea. I don’t have a basement either. But I have a ton of mice that find their way into the garage. 😞 I finally just bought a thrift store basket and put it in my dining room that’s sort of dark and have a few potatoes and onions stored there. My cat patrols inside the house all day! I have a small farm and you never can get rid of field mice. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    • @richardlynngarst3728
      @richardlynngarst3728 День назад

      @@LittleHillHomesteadGa I am so jealous …. Can you visit and help get my booty in gear to get rid off my junk?

  • @downtoearthsewing
    @downtoearthsewing День назад +1

    I have the same issue. Fully finished basement and that's where the wood stove is so it stays pretty warm. I am experimenting leaving the guest room closed off with the vent closed. I put everything in boxes/paper bags, and not much light comes from a small window. I am hoping it keep things for at least a couple of months. I have a lot of butternut and seminole squash, and a bunch of sweet potatoes. Just starting my canning journey, and my plan is to cook most of it pretty quickly, doing big batches of soup and canning some every week, so I don't have to store the uncooked produce for the whole winter, just a couple of months until I get through all the cooking/canning.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +1

      We have done the squash in here for years and they last almost a year. one less thing to can!

  • @greatgrandma8693
    @greatgrandma8693 День назад +8

    My grandpa had a wood shop . He would make us things for Christmas like a wooden potato bin with an attached lid , but he made like a series of them like canisters . Everyone loved them it didn't matter where you lived , if you stored things in a basement,closet , or even just left them anywhere in your house . The bins stayed dark inside all year .

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +2

      I was looking for one of those and Shawn may make one for me down the road. I think they are so cute.

  • @mamahenry6507
    @mamahenry6507 День назад +2

    Thank you for being honest! I try to organize BUT, it seems like chaos lol😂

  • @teeteepimentalrogers4386
    @teeteepimentalrogers4386 День назад +3

    Hi, FYI, I have a shoe hanging unit that is made with mesh. It may work better than the plastic on your squash. I bought it on Amazon. New sub and love your content. 🙏❤️

  • @jeanegard
    @jeanegard 19 часов назад +1

    I wonder about using a cooler, I have one in my garage right now. I have some squash in it. I put a little thermometer in it and it’s around 42°. I’m gonna keep my eye on it..

  • @beulahboling5422
    @beulahboling5422 День назад +3

    Get You a mesh shoe rack holder it works better to hold veggies in

  • @barbaraharrold5361
    @barbaraharrold5361 10 часов назад

    Your root closet looks great:) it’s going to fun seeing works out for you:) Tfs and God bless:)

  • @lifeatthenutthouse
    @lifeatthenutthouse День назад +2

    I didn’t realize you were from Georgia. We are too! Love your videos!
    ❤lifeatthenutthouse

  • @VirginiaSharp
    @VirginiaSharp День назад +2

    I think you could do a video on HOUSEPLANTS. The plants around your house are beautiful. ❤

  • @dianeculkin7931
    @dianeculkin7931 19 часов назад

    Great organizing!!!

  • @cyn4rest
    @cyn4rest День назад

    GMTA, we converted an xtra closet to food storage. Not the most convenient - needs more shelving- but safe and clean. All my canning & dehydrating equipment is in a closed large cabinet in the garage. Our car hasn’t seen the garage in several years, poor thing. Good luck with your new project.

  • @helenwhitsitt3789
    @helenwhitsitt3789 День назад +1

    A friend of mine did shelving and wrapped clothes line or rope on the top and put shower curtain around it

  • @demitaylor8873
    @demitaylor8873 Час назад

    For potatoes and sweet potatoes-if you wrap each one in newspaper or parchment paper BEFORE placing in box[need a reg crate for air flow] then they will last yil match in the Southern states. As I am from Mississippi, Georgia , Alabama and Tennessee,, I have been doing this method since 1970s and my granny before me[ both Ga & NC]. AS FOR the onions- good bags BUT you should place 1 in the spin bag twice or so for spacing then just drop in another til bag is full. Same for garlic. Carrots are fine EXCEPT with that hole in the bottom of bin you are just sending a smell signal to ATTRACT the rats.. I'm really only trying to help here, knowing you AIN'T FROM THE Deep South 😊😊. Hope this helps!! By the way-- the closet idea is a great one just don't go much more than 3 feet from ceiling since heat rises and will damage produce even in a none vented room such as yours.. at 58 I've been around granny and other older and wiser people who had to store food for families of 8 or more. Enough to last til spring crops came in. Please have a safe and wonderful holiday. GOD BLESS YOU and YOURS.

  • @BelovedLeah
    @BelovedLeah 18 часов назад

    That broken down box you were going to put over potato boxes, just use it like you were going to but keep the “flaps” and bend the flaps over the back of potato boxes against back wall, then the biggest flat part will be your “lid” and the other flaps will hang over the potato boxes in the front, and could act as a handle to open the “cover” and you can grab potatoes and then drop the lid back down and potatoes are covered. Hope this makes sense. Also, those over door hangers, you’re using for squashes, are perfect for packets like gravy mixes, instant mash potato mixes, those Velveeta cheese packets, snack packs like crackers, cookies, etc. ❤

  • @sharakirkby2744
    @sharakirkby2744 День назад

    I know my grandma had a root cellar which was an area full of dirt. You had to dig around to find anything. Really I think a big timber box full of dirt would equal the same thing. With this idea you could do several and separate potatoes carrots and squashes. She used to hang garlic from a hook on the ceiling weaved into a long line. She dried herbs upside down tied together with string. The smell was incredible, I loved it. Nothing is better than dried dill and some garlic.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +1

      We dry bundles of herbs in our laundry room and the smell is awesome. It is so humid they have to dry in the house and I am okay with that.

  • @oleandb3525
    @oleandb3525 День назад +1

    Wheels on the bins would probably help move the bins & elevated off floor for air movement

  • @heathermykytiw1037
    @heathermykytiw1037 5 часов назад

    What about making a bin on wheels for the potatoes? Maybe for both the carrots and potatoes, with a divider in the middle? It might be easier to get at and replenish.

  • @greenrockgarden2851
    @greenrockgarden2851 16 часов назад

    Tie a knot after adding each onion to your bag. That way, you can snip the onion off the bag without compromising the bag holding the rest of the onions. Hope that helps.

  • @larrydevenney1008
    @larrydevenney1008 День назад +1

    If sweet onions are wrapped in newspaper and stored in the bottom crisper of the refrigerator, they will keep for months.

  • @debbienielsen368
    @debbienielsen368 15 часов назад

    Could you put the potatoes and carrots in the same container with the sawdust for carrots and add the paper for the potatoes? I don’t buy 20# of potatoes at a time because I don’t cook everyday but I do buy 5# of carrots because it’s cheaper. I live your Root Closet!
    My garage stays cooler than the house because it’s about five feet deeper than the house foundation because of the lot. Just not deep enough for a cellar 😂.

  • @BelovedLeah
    @BelovedLeah 19 часов назад

    Go to your Local grocery and ask for tomato boxes from produce department. I went to my local Kroger and got 5 boxes once and use them for storage. I think these would be perfect for your root closet.

  • @oleandb3525
    @oleandb3525 День назад

    Also mice don’t like aluminum foil & steel wool. Could be good on top of veggies & they may go for. Would a loved door give you more air flow-if you’re looking for that.

  • @VirginiaSharp
    @VirginiaSharp День назад

    Get a few of those big flat pieces of cardboard that Sam’s Club has in between the layers of paper towels, toilet paper & those kinds of items, to put on top of your potato boxes. I pick up a few whenever I do small painting projects.

  • @debbiephillipps-in1sc
    @debbiephillipps-in1sc 20 часов назад

    Root closet is great. How about using more of the floor space in that room for food/kitchen storage?

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  20 часов назад

      Shawn is planning on building more shelving for me when he has time. In the meantime all my gadgets sit on the carpet. It’s real life .

  • @lizhaydon2250
    @lizhaydon2250 День назад

    Not having a root cellar or basement, I can carrots in just water in the pressure canner. They are just super because they are precooked for stews, etc. I get the carrots when they are on sale.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  20 часов назад

      I’ve never tried that. I will have to add that to my canning list!

    • @cynthiafisher9907
      @cynthiafisher9907 17 часов назад

      I’ve seen a lot of people say they don’t like the flavor of home canned carrots. That’s why I’ve never canned them myself.

  • @kimczariki3786
    @kimczariki3786 День назад +1

    Any ideas on storing bell peppers

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +2

      I slice and freeze them. Not really a great way for long term fresh sadly.

  • @katescaringcorner6765
    @katescaringcorner6765 День назад +2

    I’m impressed, Ally!
    Work with what you have and where you are.
    I live in a house that was built in the mid 60’s by the people my parents purchased it from. They were obviously not cooks by any means of the word. Neither was my mom. But we didn’t starve.
    I’m having the same issues with where do things go. We have a basement but it’s heated. I’m storing my canned goods in the room that my parents planned to be the “kids’ rec room”. Which never really was. But as far as storing root vegetables it’s difficult. The only “free wall” has a built in old heater that takes up most of the wall. If I had my druthers, I’d turn her prize dinning room into my pantry room. But as I still have my dear mom. That’s a no go. I’d also sell her wedding china and use that cabinet for dry goods. Which I plan to do when I loose my mom.
    I have used those hanging pocket thingys for storing things but the plastic tears with weight. I’m thinking that a smarty like you could sew a stronger version out of a heavy cloth for your root vegetables. Not many people have sew smarts but I know you do. You could even make them for your Etsy shop if you have the mind to do that. 💰❤

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +3

      I love the idea of sewn pockets. Great one! Heated basement? That’s terrible for people like us. 😂

    • @katescaringcorner6765
      @katescaringcorner6765 День назад +1

      @ 60’s grandioseitis. That’s all. My next home will not be built on ledge and will have all the wantings of a homesteader.

  • @LaurelHelms
    @LaurelHelms День назад

    It's looking really good. Have you ever did leather britches? Those are good for beans, peppers etc.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +1

      I have done them before but not this year. We have done beans but cayenne peppers are my favorite and we grind them down for our yearly spices.

  • @cheriwilliams7001
    @cheriwilliams7001 18 часов назад

    Ok, seeing that room bought out the organizer in me because I just can’t. You need more shelving Ali. Yikes! 🤪. I just purchased a shelving unit from Amazon that supports up to 300 pounds per shelf. It’s called a REIBII Garage Shelving Unit and Storage Racks and Pantry shelves. If I were a friend of yours you would have to call the police to get me out of there to make me stop organizing your stuff. Lololol 😂😂

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  18 часов назад +1

      Ha Ha!!! I’m usually the same way. It doesn’t normally look like that at all. I got so busy filming that it ended up like that. It’s all cleaned up again now. Shawn will be building me more shelving soon. Trust me, I’m OCD about that kind of stuff too.

  • @jackieburnett6881
    @jackieburnett6881 День назад

    Great video! I really wish I had a place to this!! I have a pantry room, but it is not cool enough. It is dark tho! I’m still trying figure something out! I will let you know if I can come up with something

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +1

      Even just a dark closet will work for some of it, maybe just for less time.

  • @KitchenFairy61
    @KitchenFairy61 День назад +1

    There isn't any point to planting the onions unless you want the seed. Onions are biannual meaning that they grow the bulb one year and of not harvested they'll make seeds the second year. You'd have to plant the seeds in the spring of the third year to get onions in the late summer or early fall.

  • @salahdzd
    @salahdzd День назад +2

    انا دائما معك اجعل ليك 🎉

  • @downtoearthsewing
    @downtoearthsewing День назад

    would love to see a video on how to cure sweet potatoes, as it seems nearly impossible to get the "perfect" conditions. How do you cure them?

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад

      We leave them outside on a table with the dirt still on them. We have a screened porch so no direct light but plenty of air movement.

  • @cynthiafisher9907
    @cynthiafisher9907 16 часов назад

    Great job! I wonder if the carrots need more airflow?

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  16 часов назад

      So far they are great. Everything I read and tried said this method uses their own moisture to create the perfect atmosohere.

    • @cynthiafisher9907
      @cynthiafisher9907 15 часов назад

      Cool!

  • @heathermykytiw1037
    @heathermykytiw1037 5 часов назад

    Ali, the weight of the squash is going to unhinge your door. It’s a great idea but it may cause problems.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  3 часа назад

      I’m watching for that. I’ll be adding more squash but will be moving it elsewhere if it causes an issue.

  • @terriereelish8419
    @terriereelish8419 День назад

    Sam's Club for under $25.00 (10) sells banker boxes with lids you put together easily. This might work for your cold storage.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +1

      I saw them when we were there yesterday. I am thinking of asking the copy center at Staples since they must go through a ton of them.

    • @terriereelish8419
      @terriereelish8419 19 часов назад

      Great idea!

  • @helenwhitsitt3789
    @helenwhitsitt3789 День назад

    I would ask Sean to make wall to wall shelving

  • @judysulak5731
    @judysulak5731 День назад

    Wouldn't the cedar smell get into the carrots?

  • @mawmaw1833
    @mawmaw1833 22 часа назад

    Farmers market,Atlanta. S 75/look for your sign

  • @jazzyj6095
    @jazzyj6095 День назад

    Sorry Ali I meant to say Hamper House for the gift basket products and the forest Park ( Atlanta Farmers Market)

  • @ojluna
    @ojluna День назад

    One of my business so you do NOT need to answer. You can totally ignore my question and I won’t judge you one way or another. But I was wondering why you have a large bag of dry dog food if you make the dogs food? I gave the last bit of my dry dog food away when I got more and more comfortable with serving my dogs food that I make for them. Thank you.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад +3

      They get homemade morning and night but we keep kibble for out of town or if they convince us they are starving in the middle of the day. You can always ask!

    • @ojluna
      @ojluna День назад +1

      @ thank you. Makes sense. Maybe you can figure it out how to can for traveling like you are hoping. We had the same issue when traveling but we were only gone a few days so had their food in an ice chest and it worked for us.

  • @dorothybell1
    @dorothybell1 День назад

    I did a lot of research on cedar because I'm allergic to it. I found out cedar is poisonous to pets and people. They didn't recommend using it for pet bedding, or humans coming in contact with it, but please do your own research.

    • @LittleHillHomesteadGa
      @LittleHillHomesteadGa  День назад

      I meant to say pine in the video. I apologize.

    • @dorothybell1
      @dorothybell1 День назад

      @LittleHillHomesteadGa I am not sure if it bothers everyone but it can effect some. I love your channel.
      We just started ordering from Azure. The organic coffee is really great