We are seriously thinking of digging a "root closet" directly out from my basement under the garage slab (garage is attached) - but I'm wondering if I'm missing some obvious ideas here. Can't involve electricity.
That would cover the "cool" but how dry? Aside from the moisture in the soil, if the access to the "root closet" is from the basement, would warm moist air get into the "root closet" and condense in the cooler "closet?"
In my basement the floor is always quite cool even when the basement heat is on. Perhaps the floor would provide the "cool" and the insulated boxes provide protection from the heat. Just watch the moisture in there. I have continuing problems with dampness in the basement. . .and the consequent problems of mold.