The Right (and Wrong) Ways to Wash Garden Vegetables

Gardening generally involves dirt—we know some of you are into hydroponics, but most of us are growing in soil. And that dirt sometimes gets onto our plants, and onto the vegetables we harvest from them. As many home cooks, chefs, and gardeners know, there’s all sorts of information and misinformation about the right and wrong ways to wash vegges. Here at Gardzen we’re dedicated to bringing you the best and most accurate information possible, so without further ado here’s our suggestions for the best ways to clean garden vegetables.

First off, some health and safety tips based on those offered by the US FDA . These are best practices for safely cleaning any fruits or vegetables that find their way to your kitchen, whether they’re from your garden, a grocery store, or a farmer’s market:

• First wash your hands, your cutting surface, and your cutting tool (knife or kitchen scissors/shears) thoroughly. Dry your cutting tool and cutting surface to avoid slippery moments that may lead to accidents.
• Rise your produce or fruit before you start cutting it, to avoid accidentally contaminating your cutting surface or knife/shears. Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There’s no need to use soap or a produce wash, regular tap water does just fine.
• Remove damaged or bruised portions of fruits or veggies before preparing or eating. These likely won’t be dangerous but they probably won’t taste good.
• Dry your produce with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting. This helps remove bacteria and dirt while also preventing slips that may cause injury.

If you do all these things—and take precautions to handle your sharp objects and cutting tools safely—you’ll go a long way towards having clean healthy produce for your kitchen. Some sources we consulted recommended washing garden produce in warm, soapy water. We don’t believe that’s generally necessary, but if your garden is exposed to fresh manure from nearby pets, livestock, or wildlife, or if you have a personal health concern, then washing with soapy water certainly won’t hurt anything.

Now, for some tips and tricks for washing particular fruits and veggies for best results:

• Produce with a firm outer rind—things like melons, cucumbers, and winter squash—may benefit from a gentle scrub with a vegetable brushto remove dirt and bacteria.
• For heading greens like cabbages and some types of collards and kale, remove the outer layers of leaves. This instantly gets rid of most dirt or microorganisms and makes cleaning the rest much easier. You can compost the discarded or feed them to your chickens—but only if they weren’t sprayed with pesticides or herbicides!
• Root vegetables come right out of the dirt, and should be scrubbed gently but thoroughly with a vegetable brush or similar implement. Cleaning them under running water helps carry the dirt away.
• Produce with a surface that is difficult to clean—think things like broccoli, cauliflower, or greens like lettuce and spinach—can benefit from a quick soak in cold waterto help loosen up and remove dirt and debris before a quick rinse. More delicate greens like lettuce should be allowed to dry—it’s OK to put them in the fridge, but sticking them into a plastic bag or container while wet will cause them to go bad more quickly. Give them some exposure to air, and then bag them when the water drops on the leaves have evaporated away. We find it helps to put a couple of paper towels in the bag to help absorb excess moisture.
• And last, let’s talk about mushrooms. There are so many myths and rumors, but the reality is that mushrooms should be rinsed thoroughly just before use for best results. Like berries or salad greens, storing them wet can lead to early decay, so rinse them as you use them and if needed give them a gently scrub to remove all dirt. No, this won’t soak your mushrooms with water and change the texture or flavor, but it will keep them clean and healthy for you.

We hope these simple steps and suggestions help you get the most out of your produce. Healthy and delicious fruits and veggies make any meal a celebration, and if you follow a few simple steps to clean your produce effectively you’ll be better able to enjoy the bounty of your garden.