In the days before fast food, people grew and stored a lot more food than they generally do today. Lucky gardeners had access to a root cellar to store their potatoes. Those without a root cellar, or with a lot of excess harvest, stored their potatoes during the winter in a potato pit. This protected storage hole keeps the potatoes cool enough to prevent sprouting, but insulates the spuds so they don't freeze during the icy winter weather.
Clean out a 55-gallon drum or other barrel that formerly held food-safe materials, such as vegetable oil or dried beans. Allow the barrel to air dry completely and make sure the lid fits securely.
Dig a slanting hole in the yard underneath a tree or near another structure that will break the wind. Make the hole descend at a 45-degree angle, and large enough to fit the bottom half of the barrel.
Fill the barrel with the stock of potatoes. Put the lid loosely in place to allow air to circulate around the food.
Heap straw on the covered barrel until it is covered with a layer at least 12 inches deep. If you experience sustained freezing temperatures in your area, add more straw, up to a 3-foot layer.
Cover the straw with the soil you dug to create the hole. This will create a final dense layer of insulation.
Dig a hole in the ground at least 3 feet deep. Place the hole on high ground where water isn't likely to seep into the bottom.
Cushion and insulate the bottom of the pit with a 12-inch layer of straw. If in doubt, add more straw to create a thicker layer for more insulation.
Pile the potatoes in the pit in an even layer. Cover them with a layer of straw, from 1 to 3 feet thick, depending on how cold your weather is likely to get. Err on the side of caution when choosing the amount of insulation for the pit.
Shovel the dirt from the hole on top of the final straw layer. This will hold the straw in place, keeping it from blowing away, and also add another layer of insulation.
Things You Will Need
- Barrel with lid
- Create a number of smaller pits rather than one large one. Repeatedly opening a pit to get out more food can endanger the potatoes with frost.
- If rodents are likely to be a problem in your area, choose a lined pit and a metal barrel.
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