The best location for a root cellar would be fully in a north bank. The addition of a greenhouse above it moves it to the sort of location we chose to be close to the garden and utilize a difficult bank.

A friend had a large pile of used cinder block that in many cases were actually cinder block and not the cement style made these days. They were free for the hauling and cleaning. We got about a quarter of what we needed before someone offered him cash for what remained. Next source were some in trade for some labor. Another source appeared for twenty-five cents a block. We had to purchase the final forty.

The footer was also dug by hand and poured in sections over and under some old sign posts found along the road. The good ole boys push over the sign posts to steal the signs. When the county boys show up with replacement signs they refuse to take the old posts. They make great rebar for this sort of footer.