Vegetable Cleaning and Storage Tips

Please note these are only suggestions. Storage times and ability will vary from crop to crop and season to season.
ALWAYS WASH YOUR PRODUCE. We give many items an initial washing but you should always clean your produce again before consuming.


Image Item Storage Average Storage Length
Arugula Wash and dry well before storing. (We wash and allow to dry on a towel on the counter.) Store in a loosely tied grocery bag. 3-5 days
Basil Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 2-3 days
Beans Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 3-5 days
Beets Remove tops and store in bag. Wash when ready to use. Store roots separately. Tops 3-4 days.
Roots several weeks.
Bok Choy Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. One week.
Bouquets Trim ends and place in fresh water. Change water every day. Depends on variety.
Broccoli Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. One week.
Brussels Sprouts Remove sprouts from stem if necessary for storage space. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. One week +.
Cabbage Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 3-5 days
Carrots Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 3-5 days
Cauliflower Do not wash until ready to use or cut up and store as cleaned florets. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. One week.
Celeriac Remove top. Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. Several weeks.
Celery Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. Several weeks.
Collards Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 3-4 days.
Corn Do not shuck until ready to use. The sugars in corn turn to starch as soon as it is picked.
Eat as soon as possible		 Several days.
Cucumbers Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. One week.
Eggplant Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. Several weeks.
Fennel Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. Several weeks.
Garlic Green garlic should be stored in the refrigerator. Dried garlic should be stored in the pantry. Green garlic 3-5 days.
Dried garlic 1-2 months or longer.
Greens Wash and store in the refrigerator. A week, possibly more.
Kohlrabi Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. Do not peel until ready to use. Several weeks.
Leeks Clean off outer leaves and store in refrigerator. Several weeks.
Lettuce Store either as whole head or wash leaves and dry very well.
Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator.		 3-5 days or longer.
Melons Store at comfortable room temperature until ready to use. Varies.
Okra Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 3-4 days.
Onions (Dry) Keep in a dry dark place to slow sprouting.Use promptly any with signs of sprouting or bruising. Possibly up to several months.
Onions (Green) Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator until ready to use. One week or longer.
Parsley Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator until ready to use. 3-5 days.
Peas Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator until ready to use. 2-3 days. Sugar converts to starch as soon as picked.
Peppers Do not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. Up to 1 week.
Potatoes Do not wash until ready to use. Store at room temperature. Keep in a dry dark place to slow sprouting. Use promptly any with signs of sprouting or bruising. Possibly up to several months.
Radish Remove tops and store in a loose bag in the fridge. Up to 1 week.
Rutabagas Remove greens and store in a loose bag in the fridge. Several weeks or longer.
Spinach Wash and dry well before storing in a loose bag in the fridge. 3-5 days.
Summer Squash Store in a loose bag in the refrigerator. 3-5 days.
Swiss Chard DO not wash until ready to use. Store in a loose bag in the fridge. 3-5 days.
Tomatoes Store at room temperature until ready to use. 2-3 days (depending on ripeness).
Turnip Roots Wash and dry well before storing in a loose bag. A week or longer.
Winter Squash Store in a cool, dry location. Several months depending on type.