Dirty Veggies What Now?

[DirtMechanic]

I'm zonked!
Now back to the question with a thoroughly practical suggestion from down under.
Put some 50mm weldmesh over the compost bin and let the water not be wasted. Let the initial washing of carrots leave dirt and water where it is most needed - over the compost.
Okay - you may resume your Anglo- American exploration of bygone expressions.

Since I have a hose at the garden gate I usually fill the bucket I put the picked veg into not just to remove dirt but also to drown insects hitching a ride into the house. My wife is a member of the "don't wash veggies until you use them" clan. I see keeping them dry but also see veg like tomato or banana on the countertop spoiling faster when not disinfected with a little extra help. Even regular cleaning of the decorative storage containers helps them last weeks longer.

 

[Meadowlark]

...Put some 50mm weldmesh over the compost bin and let the water not be wasted. Let the initial washing of carrots leave dirt and water where it is most needed - over the compost.

I do something similar but different. I have 30-gallon tubs that fill with rainwater. Whenever I do wash fresh veggies, I just dunk them in the tubs. The residue goes back on the garden...closed system.

It is important to only wash veggies right before you are ready to eat them. For example, potatoes going into storage should NEVER be washed...same for many other veggies. Washing them speeds deterioration 10-fold, at least.

 

[DirtMechanic]

I do something similar but different. I have 30-gallon tubs that fill with rainwater. Whenever I do wash fresh veggies, I just dunk them in the tubs. The residue goes back on the garden...closed system.

It is important to only wash veggies right before you are ready to eat them. For example, potatoes going into storage should NEVER be washed...same for many other veggies. Washing them speeds deterioration 10-fold, at least.

But why does it speed? 10x seems a lot also. I am assuming they get dried thoroughly and are not wet.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

There is also the busby, sometimes bearskin, usually some other fur, worn by Hussars.

Busby (military headdress) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Meadowlark]

But why does it speed? 10x seems a lot also. I am assuming they get dried thoroughly and are not wet.

According to my AI, "Unwashed veggies have a secret superpower: they stay fresher for longer! Many fruits and vegetables have a natural protective coating on their skin. This coating helps repel water while they’re growing. When you wash them, you remove this protective layer."

10-fold may be high, but not much. Potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, beets, onions, even green beans are examples of rapid deterioration after washing.

Just try some garden potatoes...once is all you need to see the huge difference washing makes to shelf life.

 

[YumYum]

According to my AI, "Unwashed veggies have a secret superpower: they stay fresher for longer! Many fruits and vegetables have a natural protective coating on their skin. This coating helps repel water while they’re growing. When you wash them, you remove this protective layer."

10-fold may be high, but not much. Potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, beets, onions, even green beans are examples of rapid deterioration after washing.

Just try some garden potatoes...once is all you need to see the huge difference washing makes to shelf life.

I agree on the potatoes. I try to dig them up when the soil is dry enough that it kinda flakes off of the tuber. I just use my hand and fingers to brush them off and then off to the tater bin. Rinsing the soil off does do something to make them spoil noticibly faster. Not sure about 10 times, maybe twice as fast.

 

[gary350]

If not much dirt and not many spider webs I eat them right from the garden no reason to wash them or cook them.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

If not much dirt and not many spider webs I eat them right from the garden no reason to wash them or cook them.

My hippie friends used to advocate this and mock me for always washing stuff. They got worms, I didn't.