Beginner
3 ft diameter × 2 ft tall mound
30 – 60 minutes
$10 – $25
Root Crop Storage Clamp
An old-fashioned underground mound that stores root crops through winter using soil and straw insulation.
Estimated cost
$10 – $25
Estimated time
30 – 60 minutes
Lifespan
One season
Soil needed
None — stores harvested roots in the ground
Weight empty
N/A
Weight full
100–200 lbs when loaded
Best for
Carrots, beets, turnips, parsnips, and potatoes in mild-winter climates
Placement
Choose a well-drained spot on higher ground. Avoid low areas where water pools.
Boards to Buy
| Boards to Buy | Quantity | What You Use Them For |
|---|---|---|
| Dry straw or leaves | 1–2 bales | Insulation layers |
| Garden soil or sand | 1 wheelbarrow | Outer cover |
| Burlap or old sheet | 1 | Separates crops from soil |
- ·Optional: wooden pallet base for drainage
- ·Optional: tarp for very wet climates
Steps
- 1Harvest root crops on a dry day and let them cure briefly.
- 2Lay a 6-inch layer of dry straw on the ground in a circle.
- 3Pile crops in a cone, leaving a small central gap for air.
- 4Cover with burlap, then 6–8 inches of straw.
- 5Mound soil over the straw to shed water, leaving a straw chimney at the top.
- 6Dig a shallow drainage trench around the base.
- 7Open the clamp from the top down as you need vegetables.
Tools needed
- ·Shovel
- ·Pitchfork
- ·Wheelbarrow
Common mistakes to avoid
- ·Piling crops too deep — heat and rot build up
- ·Using wet straw — it molds
- ·No ventilation gap in the center
- ·Forgetting to check after hard freezes
Maintenance tips
Check the clamp after heavy rain or frost. Replace straw if it gets wet. Use crops before warm spring weather arrives.
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