We are so excited to have completed a walk-in cooler. We had a corner in our shop that was tucked away between some stairs and under a loft that we decided to turn into a cool room. We are planning to utilize this new addition pretty much year-round!
Right now, it is being used to keep our dahlia tubers cool and dormant. This means we can utilize our shop more freely this winter by being able to heat it. Previously, warming the shop where the dahlias were stored meant the dahlias might think it is springtime and break dormancy too soon. This year with the addition of the cooler we can heat up the shop and work on all kinds of things and the dahlias are snug in a nice cool environment at perfect temps.
In the spring we can use it to warm up the tubers and get them ready to sprout and grow early if we want to because we have heating and cooling capabilities for the room. Summertime we will be able to condition our flowers for longer vase life. That will mean a little bit more forgiveness & flexibility in harvesting, arranging, and delivery schedules than I had before. In the fall before the dahlias need the storage space we can hang our deer and elk in there. In the winter we will once again store the dahlia tubers, and our winter food supply from our garden as well.
We feel so fortunate to have been able to salvage some of the products we used to build it. I can't wait to utilize it fully this year.