Hobbit Hole Root Cellar
A behind the scenes tour of our Dahlia tuber root cellar.
Hobbit Hole Root Cellar
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” - J.R.R. Tolkien
Anyone who has grown Dahlias knows that storing the tubers over the winter is TRICKY BUSINESS. They can be quite finicky, and unfortunately, they can easily rot or dry out… which can mean losses of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Eek!
For years, we stored our Dahlia tubers in my parent’s basement garage, where the conditions were perfect - cool, humid and never dipping below freezing, even the winters where there were lows around -20 F! We were grateful to have such an ideal storage space, despite having to box up and haul all the tubers back and forth each year (it took several trips!).
And then… my parents sold their house this summer. After a few weeks of fretting (“What are we going to do NOW?!?”), my husband decided to build a root cellar on our farm.
Historically, most farms had root cellars at one time. They were typically built into hillsides, with a door for access. The earth insulated the root cellar, keeping the contents cool and humid, but not freezing or wet.
Unfortunately, we don’t really have any hills on our little 3 acre farm… so my husband MADE one using our trusty little blue tractor.
When my husband told me he wanted to make root cellar, my one request was “Can we make it look like a Hobbit House?” Obviously, I have my priorities straight. Ha!
I may or may not be a WEE BIT obsessed with all things Middle Earth (the setting of the classic book “The Hobbit” and the “Lord of the Rings” series by J.R.R. Tolkien).
Let me tell you the story of how the Hobbit Hole Root Cellar came to be at Three Acre Farm. Ready to come on an Unexpected Journey? Sorry, I can’t help myself…
First order of business: Tracking down some really big steel tanks to bury underground. My husband, John, who is the REAL hero of this story, tracked them down on Facebook Marketplace.
These were tanks used in the natural gas extraction process and are about 8’ in diameter and 10’ long. So yeah. Big.
Once we had the tanks, it was time to cut doors in them. John designed the root cellar so that the tanks were end to end to create one long space… like a long tube.
Next up, he painted the outside of the tanks with foundation coating to help prevent further rusting.
Then it was time to dig.
So… digging the hole for the tanks was somewhat time consuming. Our tractor, trusty “Little Blue” was a bit undersized for the job, but she managed!
I took the photo below for scale, so you can see how deep the hole is. Also, have I mentioned that our farm is basically a sand dune?
And then somehow (not quite sure how, but I was watching!), he managed to use “Little Blue” to push the tanks into the hole, making sure they rolled in at just the right angle that the door was in the proper place (well, they needed a tiny bit of adjustment). My husband is pure magic.
Then he painted the inside of the tanks so it didn’t feel quite so creepy. ;)
He laid a giant tarp over the whole thing, then heaped a crap load of dirt over top of it. The tanks are surrounded by earth to help keep the temperature above freezing (hopefully!).
Bonus! The kids finally have a sledding hill on the farm Ha!
He also built a retaining wall around the front door to keep the dirt from collapsing around the doorway.
You can also see the exhaust vent sticking out of the back. There is a fresh air vent in the front… in case we ever need to use it as a bomb/tornado shelter. ;) No, actually, it’s to help keep the air fresh in there.
Ta da! Next season, my husband will do some ground-scaping around the entrance and clean things up a bit, but for now - IT WORKS!
John leveled off the floor with gravel, then laid a pallet wood floor overtop of the gravel.
For good measure, John installed a center beam with supports. Also. Light!!! Yay! And outlets for heaters, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, etc.
We slowly started moving the boxes of tuber to their winter storage…
Unfortunately, we had a really warm November and December and the Hobbit Hole was too warm! I noticed some mold growth on some tubers, so we installed a dehumidifier and an air purifier with a mold filter to help keep things under control.
I pop in here a few times a week to inspect the tubers.
Time will tell how this giant experiment will work. While most of the tubers look pretty good, we’re experiencing some tuber rot. We’re guessing this was due to the warm fall temps and high humidity. While it’s been brutally cold recently, early winter was much too warm!
It’s a pretty nice space to work in, even in the middle of the winter. Here’s a video of me in February dividing a few tubers to potting up. Normally, we don’t start dividing the tubers until March, but I wanted to get a head start with a few of my favorite varieties!
Concluding Remarks…
-John has plans to add temperature controls to help us deal with warm temperatures. We thought cold would be the problem, but warmth has been most challenging!
-He also wishes he could have used 3 tanks, but couldn’t find more tanks.
Hope you enjoyed the tour of our Hobbit Hole Root Cellar!
P.S. In the spring, I hope to track down someone to paint the front to look like Bilbo’s door and make a sign that says “No Admittance Except on Dahlia Business”. It’s gonna be great!
READY FOR MORE?
If you’re serious about growing the garden of your dreams this year, register for my online course, “Backyard Cutting Garden 101”. You’ll find everything you need to plan, grow, harvest and arrange your stunning blooms. I can’t WAIT to help you grow! Click on the button below for all the details.
Spoon Butter Recipe
Wondering what “spoon butter” is and if you need it? Find out here!
Spoon Butter Recipe
Do you use wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards and other wooden utensils in your kitchen? I do!
These hardworking, classic tools have stood the test of time and can even become family heirlooms… if they are properly cared for.
You may have noticed that your wooden tools tend to get dried out over time and maybe you’ve wondered how to to condition them or revive them.
Many website sites suggest using mineral oil as a wood conditioner for cutting boards, spoons, etc. After doing a little research on mineral oil, I was NOT comfortable with the idea of using it in my kitchen.
Instead, I looked around my kitchen and pantry for all natural ingredients that I felt safe using on tools that would come into contact with our food.
This recipe is called “Spoon Butter”, because it’s like you’re buttering your spoons. I love knowing that this spoon butter will condition my wooden tools AND it’s 100% safe for human consumption.
Here’s how to make it:
INGREDIENTS
3 ounces of coconut oil
1 ounce of beeswax (chunk or pastilles)
METHOD
Combine the 2 ingredients in a small glass jar. Place the glass jar in a pan filled with about 2 inches of warm water (do not get water in the jar). Slowly heat the pan of water. The hot water will melt the coconut oil and beeswax. Stir gently to combine ingredients.
HOW TO USE
Remove a small amount of spoon butter from jar and rub thoroughly on wooden spoon, cutting board, etc. Allow to sit for about an hour to fully penetrate wood. If desired, buff off excess with a clean cloth.
There! Now you have a beautiful, shiny spoon that looks like new! With proper care, these spoons and cutting boards can be handed down from generation to generation. How special is that? Enjoy!
Herb Salt Recipe
A quick, easy and elegant DIY gift idea for everyone on your list!
Ok, folks. Less than 2 weeks until Christmas!
If you’re anything like me, you probably JUST remembered about 5 people you want to get gifts for, but time and Christmas funds are running out. ;)
Never fear!
I’ve got the perfect solution: Herb Salt.
This gift is:
Inexpensive. Each jar costs less than $2, depending on where you buy your ingredients.
Easy and quick. You might even have all the ingredients in your house right now!
Elegant. This may be an inexpensive gift, but it looks so fancy!
Consumable (and practical)… because nobody needs more stuff cluttering up their house!
Appropriate for nearly everyone. No need to worry about food allergies!
What is Herb Salt?
Herb Salt is something I made up one December when I was trying to think of a consumable gift idea for my family members.
Years ago, our family decided that we would only buy gifts for the children in the family. The adults would exchange small consumable gifts, as all of us were trying to reduce clutter in our households.
I wanted something a little different than the usual jams and baked goods I usually made, so I looked in my pantry to see what I could find… and discovered I had LOTS of herbs that I had dried from my garden, along with some fancy sea salt.
So I started mixing… a little bit of this, a little bit of that… sample, taste….mmmmm… perfection!
When I gave it away that year, everyone LOVED it. The only complaint - they used it up too fast and wished they had more! Ha! This year I’ll be making larger batches.
This “recipe” (I use that term loosely) is easy, quick and fun. It’s a great recipe to make with kids!
How to Make Herb Salt
Here’s what you need:
4 TBSP of SEA SALT or KOSHER SALT: My favorite salt to use is “Light Gray Celtic Sea Salt” by Selina Naturally, since it is slightly damp and the herbs adhere well to the salt. Kosher Salt will work too, but you may need to stir in a few drops of water so the herbs will stick to the salt.
1 TSP of ONION POWDER
1 TSP of GARLIC POWDER
1 TSP of DRIED LEAFY HERBS, crushed into powder: Parsley, basil, sage, thyme, marjoram, chervil, rosemary, etc. are all great choices. Use what you have on hand!
MORTAR AND PESTLE: Use this to grind the herbs into powder. You could also use a clean coffee grinder or place the herbs in a bag and mash them with a rolling pin… but a mortar and pestle is the most fun, especially for kids.
4 OZ MASON JARS (with lids and rings) or similar sized jar
Method:
Scoop the salt into a 4oz Ball mason jar (the smallest size).
Add the Onion Powder and Garlic Powder.
Combine a small amount of each type of herb (about a tsp of each). Using a mortar and pestle, grind the herbs as finely as possible. They should eventually turn into a green powder. You could also use a clean coffee grinder or put the herbs in a plastic baggie and roll over the bag repeatedly with a rolling pin.
Add 1 tsp of the powdered herbs to the jar.
Place the lid and ring on the jar and shake until everything is thoroughly combined. The salt grains will be greenish colored.
Have extra powdered herbs? Store them in a jar and save them for the next batch of Herb Salt!
A Great Gift Idea
After you done making the herb salt, feel free to get a little fancy with the presentation!
You can keep it simple with mason jar labels or you can dress it up even more.
I like to use holiday themed paper to decorate the jars. It’s as simple as tracing the outline of the canning lid onto paper and cutting it out. Ta-da! Simple, easy and beautiful.
Now that you’ve made it, why not make a few more jars to keep on hand? This Herb Salt is the perfect gift any time of the year and your gift recipients will love it.
This herb salt makes a great gift for:
Bus Drivers
Teachers
Hair Dresser
Your mail carrier
Family
Friends
Myself… I love it too! Ha!
Anyone you want to make feel special.
How to Use the Herb Salt
Seriously, this stuff is so good, you’ll find yourself using it on everything! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Roasted or Grilled Meats
Marinades
Roasted Vegetables
Soups or stews
Dips
Casseroles
Scrambled eggs/quiche/frittata
Anything that needs a little extra flavor!
Hope you enjoy the recipe! Let me know if you try it!
Do you have any “go-to” last minute gift ideas? I’d love to hear them! I’m always trying to build my “Gift Idea” list.
If you haven’t checked out the recipe for my DIY Chocolate Peppermint Balm, be sure to take a peek. Everybody LOVES it.
DIY Gardening Hand Scrub Recipe
Perfect for the gardeners in your life!
DIY Gardening Hand Scrub Recipe
Years ago, a friend gave me a jar of homemade hand scrub as a Christmas gift. In the shuffle of holiday busyness, the jar was shoved into a cupboard and forgotten.
The following spring, I came inside after a long day of working in the garden. My hands were filthy, dirt caked in every crease, fingernails blackened. I stood at the sink, scrubbing for at least 5 minutes, but my hands were still stained... and now rough and dried out from using harsh soap and a nail brush.
I suddenly remembered the hand scrub stuffed in the cupboard. Might as well give it a shot, I thought.
It was amazing! Not only did the scrub remove the dirt and stains, it also soothed my damaged skin, leaving them clean and smooth.
I love this hand scrub so much, I just had to share it with you!
Make a batch for yourself and another to share with a friend (I've included the recipe to make 3 different batch sizes). I promise they will appreciate it!
This hand scrub also makes a fantastic gift for the gardeners you love.
Even if you are not the DIY type, I encourage you to give it a try. The recipe is simple and easy. It takes less than 5 minutes to make a batch.
A couple of notes:
You can use zested citrus or citrus essential oils. I prefer the zested citrus, but the essential oils version will have a longer shelf life.
The hand scrub should last a few months. Do your best to keep water out of the jar. You could use a spoon to scoop the scrub out of the jar, so the contents stay clean and water-free.
Want to add fresh herbs? Go for it! Finely chopped Rosemary, Thyme, Basil and Mint are lovely choices. Feel free to play around with different combinations of citrus zest/oil and herbs. I can't wait to try lemon/mint!
Coconut oil turns to liquid above 76 degrees. Depending on where you live and time of year, you may want to store the hand scrub in the fridge.
Ingredients to yield 3 cups of hand scrub:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup mild soap (like Dr. Bronner's or mild dish soap)
2 cups sugar
20 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
4 drops tea tree oil (optional)
Lemon Zest or 10 drops Lemon essential oil (optional)
Ingredients to yield 1 ½ cups of hand scrub:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup mild soap (like Dr. Bronner's or mild dish soap)
1 cup sugar
10 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
2 drops tea tree oil (optional)
Lemon Zest or 5 drops Lemon essential oil (optional)
Ingredients to yield ¾ cup of hand scrub:
1/8 cup coconut oil
1/8 cup mild soap (like Dr. Bronner's or mild dish soap)
1/2 cup sugar
5 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
1 drops tea tree oil (optional)
Lemon Zest or 3 drops Lemon essential oil (optional)
Method:
Soften or melt the coconut oil in a measuring cup or bowl. Mix with soap.
Add sugar and stir vigorously to “whip” it.
Add essential oils, if desired.
Add zest of lemon, if desired.
To Use:
Scoop dollop into hands using fingers or a spoon.
Scrub away!
Happy planting and I hope you enjoy the hand scrub!
What are you planting in YOUR garden right now?
-Lori
How to Grow: Zinnias
A classic cut flower!
How to Grow: Zinnias
Pronunciation: zinn-ee-ah
Ah, Zinnias… if I had a dollar for every time someone told me “I love Zinnias!”, I would be a rich woman. ;)
Zinnias are a well known, well loved, classic summer blooming flower. Their cheery faces are sure to brighten your day.
There is a lot to love about Zinnias… but unfortunately, they have a few strikes against them too.
“Uproar Rose” Zinnia
Let’s look at the Pros and Cons of growing Zinnias for cut flower use.
PROS
They come in a multitude of colors and sizes (see photo below!).
They are easy to grow.
They grow from seed to bloom in about 80 days, which means you can direct sow them instead of having to grow transplants.
The plants are productive for a long period of time.
They are bright and cheerful in bouquets.
They have a good vase life of 5 -7 days, with proper harvest and care.
CONS
They are susceptible to Powdery Mildew and leaf spot (fungal and bacterial), which doesn’t always affect the flowers but leaves the plants looking nasty and unsightly.
They are a “dirty cut flower”, which means the stems will muck up the water in the vase in hours and shorten the vase life of all the flowers, unless preventative measures are taken (this is such a “con” for me that I don’t like to incorporate them into bouquets, as I feel they ruin the other flowers).
They are highly susceptible to Japanese Beetle damage.
“Benary’s Giants” Zinnias are truly giants!
CHOOSING SEEDS
Zinnias often come in bright, bold colors, but these days you can also find muted or dusky colors, which I appreciate. Some of those Zinnia colors are a little too intense for me!
Zinnias also come in a variety of flower sizes, ranging from the large “dahlia flowered” types (which I call “the poor man’s dahlia”. Ha!), to cute little button-like blooms. When choosing Zinnia seeds, be sure to choose varieties that will grow to at least 18” tall.
Here are a few of my favorite Zinnias to grow for cut flower use:
“Benary’s Giant” series (come in various colors - you can find my favorites here)
“Queen Red Lime”
“Oklahoma” series (cute little button blooms - you can find my favorites here)
“Uproar Rose” (expensive seed, but worth it for the disease resistance)
Our custom-blended cut flower Zinnia mixes, available only from Three Acre Farm:
“Queen Lime Orange” Zinnia
HOW TO SOW
Zinnias are heat loving, summer blooming flowers.
They do not like cold temperatures and can’t handle frost, so do not try to plant them too early in the season. They grow quickly when the soil warms up and begin to bloom around early/mid July.
Transplants or Direct Sow?
Zinnias are versatile and can be transplanted or direct sown.
Transplants are fine, but make sure the transplants are only a few weeks old (3-4 weeks). Larger, older transplants tend to be “root bound” and will be permanently stunted in their growth and vigor.
Personally, I find Zinnias grow faster, and are more productive and healthier when they are direct sown.
I’ve done trials, planting 4 week old transplants on the same day as direct sowing seeds. Within 2 months, the direct sown plants were BETTER than the transplanted plants.
You might as well save yourself some time and space, and simply direct sow the seeds!
To ensure I have blooms all summer, I usually so 2-3 sowings in the spring, spaced 2-3 weeks apart. For example, I start some seeds indoors in the spring. When they are ready to be transplanted out into the beds, I will also direct sow some seeds in another bed at the some time. 2-3 weeks later, I will direct sow more seeds.
PLANT SPACING
For cut flower use, Zinnias can be grown anywhere from 6-12” apart.
Closer spacing encourages longer, straighter stems… but too close and you risk increased disease problems. You’ll have to experiment and find out what works in your area!
GROWING ON
If flowers are harvested and spent blooms are “deadheaded” (removed), the plants will continue to send up blooms until frost or cold weather arrives (or Powdery Mildew takes them out!).
Remember: The whole point of growing flowers for cutting is to CUT ALL THE BLOOMS! ;) Keep cutting or the plants will stop producing.
STAGE OF HARVEST
Zinnias should be harvested when they are fully open. They will not continue to open after being cut.
It’s VERY IMPORTANT the bloom passes “The Wiggle Test”. Blooms that don’t pass the test will not hold up well.
To perform the test, grasp the stem about 8” below the bloom and wiggle the stem. If the bloom flops around, it’s not ready to harvest. If the stem remains rigid, the bloom is ready to be harvested.
As with all cut flowers, be sure to cut deeply into the plant between 2 sets of leaves, cutting stems at least 18” long. Deep cuts signal the plants to produce MORE flowers to replace the one you cut.
POST HARVEST CARE
Zinnias do NOT like to be placed in a cooler. After harvesting, allow them to rest in a clean bucket in a cool, dark spot, like a basement.
Zinnias are a “dirty flower” that will muck up the vase water unbelievably fast. Dirty water breeds bacteria, the enemy of cut flowers. Bacteria significantly reduces vase life.
To combat this, it’s important to use commercial flower food (easily found on Amazon - I like “Floralife”) or add 1-2 drops of bleach to the bucket or vase. Just a few drops, not an entire teaspoon. Too much bleach will actually bleach the color from the flowers! I know this from experience ;)
QUESTIONS?
Questions or comments? Leave them below and I’ll get back to you!
READY FOR MORE?
If you’re serious about growing the garden of your dreams this year, register for my online course, “Backyard Cutting Garden 101”. You’ll find everything you need to plan, grow, harvest and arrange your stunning blooms. I can’t WAIT to help you grow! Click on the button below for all the details.