Isaac Villeneuve showing David how to build the root crop washer.

If a producer needs to wash hundreds of pounds of root crops in the fall, it can be time-consuming and frankly, discouraging.  For market-garden sized operations, a home-made barrel root crop washer is just the thing needed.  We saw one at Isaac Villeneuve’s farm in New Brunswick, and David later went back so Isaac could teach him how to build one.  It cost $600 to build from all new materials, and will likely provide many years of low maintenance service.

Root crop washer ready to go with water hose attached.

Dave Hastings of Waxwing Farm picking up the root washer in his neat little truck.

It sure saves time!  We’ve had a lot of interest in it and we are drawing up instructions with photos.  In the meantime, here is a video of the root crop washer in action with parsnips and potatoes.  It can also be used to wash carrots, beets, turnips, and any other firm roots.

Let us know your thoughts.