Complete guide to storing your harvest
>/b>🍅 Tomatoes
Room Temperature
Duration: 3-7 days
Temp: 55-70°F
Best for: Ripening. Never refrigerate unripe tomatoes.
Refrigerator (ripe)
Duration: 1-2 weeks
Temp: 40°F
Best for: Fully ripe tomatoes only.
Frozen
Duration: 8-12 months
Temp: 0°F or below
Best for: Cooking. Blanch and peel first.
🥬 Leafy Greens
Refrigerator
Duration: 5-7 days
Temp: 32-40°F
Best for: Fresh salads. Store washed in damp towel.
🥕 Carrots
Refrigerator
Duration: 3-4 weeks
Temp: 32-40°F
Best for: Convenient storage. Remove tops.
Cold Storage
Duration: 4-6 months
Temp: 32-40°F, 90% humidity
Best for: Large harvests. Layer in damp sand.
🥔 Potatoes
Cool, Dark Storage
Duration: 2-6 months
Temp: 40-50°F
Best for: Long-term. Never refrigerate. Keep dark to prevent greening.
🧅 Onions
Cured Storage
Duration: 6-10 months
Temp: 50-60°F, low humidity
Best for: Cure 2-3 weeks first. Store in mesh bags with air circulation.
🌿 Fresh Herbs
Refrigerator (Bouquet)
Duration: 1-2 weeks
Temp: 40°F
Best for: Maximum freshness. Trim stems, place in water like flowers.
Frozen (Ice Cubes)
Duration: 4-6 months
Temp: 0°F or below
Best for: Cooking. Chop herbs, pack in ice cube trays with water/oil.
🍎 Apples
Refrigerator
Duration: 1-2 months
Temp: 32-40°F
Best for: Convenient. Store away from other produce (ethylene producer).
Cold Storage
Duration: 2-6 months
Temp: 30-35°F, 90% humidity
Best for: Late-season varieties. Wrap individually, check weekly.
🥒 Cucumbers
Refrigerator
Duration: 1 week
Temp: 50-55°F (warmer part)
Best for: Short-term. Wrap in paper towel.
Pickled
Duration: 12-24 months
Temp: Cool, dark pantry
Best for: Long-term preservation. Water bath canning recommended.
⚠️ Critical Storage Warnings
- Never store potatoes and onions together – They emit gases that spoil each other
- Don’t refrigerate tomatoes, potatoes, or winter squash – Cold damages texture and flavor
- Keep ethylene producers separate – Apples, tomatoes speed ripening of nearby produce
- Check stored produce regularly – One rotten item can spoil the entire batch