*Wash all fruit and vegetables only as you use them.
Vegetables
Store in the veggie crisper of the refrigerator:
Leafy greens: wet greens deteriorate quickly; store dry in plastic bag; use within 3 - 4 days.
Asparagus: separate spears and store in plastic bag; use within 2 - 3 days.
Corn: store in husks in plastic bag; use within 2 - 3 days as corn sugars convert to starches.
Brassicas: (includes broccoli, rutabaga, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnip, radish, cabbage, mustard greens) keep wrapped in plastic so they do not transfer their odour; use within a week.
Carrots, sunchokes, parsnips, daikon, celery, leeks: store in perforated plastic bags; remove greens from carrots and parsnips; will keep for several weeks.
Burdock Root: store in plastic bag; keep moist.
Warmest section of the fridge (door, upper shelf)
Cucumbers, summer squash, peppers, eggplant: store unwrapped; will keep 1 - 2 weeks.
Peas: keep in plastic bag, use within 2 - 3 days.
Beans: store loosely in plastic bag; use within 1 week.
Mushrooms: store in paper bag with barely damp paper towel.
Cool dry location (basement, pantry)
Tomatoes: store loose in a box or bowl. If under-ripe, place in warmer location. Will keep up to 2 weeks, depending on ripeness. Do not store in the fridge as that will cause the flavour to deteriorate. Once cut open, they can be kept in the fridge.
Potatoes and yams: should be kept in the dark; unwashed potatoes store longer; will keep for several weeks.
Warm dry location (room temperature)
Onions and Garlic: need good air circulation, keep away from light and potatoes; both do well in hanging baskets or mesh bags; depending on their condition when harvested, will store several months. The longer they are stored, the cooler the temperature.
Winter squash (including pumpkin): store loose on shelf - do not allow them to touch each other. Will keep several months.
Fruit
*Most fruit is damaged by bruising; handle and store carefully.
Refrigerator:
Apples, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, rhubarb, kiwis: Keep in plastic bags, will keep well in fridge.
Berries, cherries, figs: protect from bruising, store in an open, shallow container. Use within 3 - 4 days.
Cool location:
Ripe bananas, citrus fruit (lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit), melons, pineapple.
Room temperature:
Unripened bananas, peaches, pears, kiwis; store unripened peaches and pears in a single layer and watch closely for signs of ripening - the fruit gives under gentle pressure, pears turn lemony yellow.