SWALLOWTAIL FARMSTEAD
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VEGGIE STORAGE TIPS

Store in Fridge

ASPARAGUS - wrap in damp cloth and store in vegetable drawer of fridge, OR stand upright in glass with 1 inch water
BASIL - short term storage only (wrapped in damp cloth in fridge but do not wash before refrigeration)
BEANS - refrigerate fresh beans in plastic bag (use as soon as possible), do not wash before storing in fridge - keep about 1 week
BEETS - can be refrigerated in sealed plastic bag if cut off leaves and stems 1-2 inches above root crown
BEET GREENS - store beet greens separately from beets, wrapped in damp cloth or bag
BOK CHOY - wrap bok choy in damp cloth, or plastic bag in vegetable drawer of fridge (keeps 1 week)
BROCCOLI - best used within a few days
CABBAGE - can be refrigerated for 1-2 months (store in plastic bag to retain moisture if necessary)
CARROTS - remove greens, store in plastic bags in vegetable drawer (last 2-4 weeks)
CELERIAC - store in vegetable drawer but do not wash before storage (can last up to 1 month)
CELERY - refrigerate as soon as possible, wrapped in damp cloth or standing upright in glass of 1 inch water
CHARD - wrap in damp cloth and store in vegetable drawer, should be used within 2-4 days (best used fresh)
CHIVES - store wrapped in damp cloth in vegetable drawer
CILANTRO - store wrapped in damp cloth in fridge, or stand upright in glass of water
CORN - refrigerate with husks on, use as soon as possible to retain sweetness
CUCUMBERS - should be stored in vegetable drawer of fridge (keep up to 1 week), do not cut as it will deteriorate
DILL - can be stored short-term in fridge, wrapped in damp cloth or standing in glass of water
EGGPLANT - can be stored in fridge for up to 1 week (in vegetable drawer)
FENNEL - can be stored for up to 2 weeks in plastic bag in fridge (store fronds separately)
GARLIC - do NOT refrigerate garlic bulbs (peeled cloves can be stored in fridge for a very short time)
GREENS - salad greens are best stored wrapped in damp cloth, or in plastic bag in vegetable drawer of fridge (use within a few days)
KALE - wrap leaves in damp cloth or plastic bag, store up to 1 week in vegetable drawer of fridge (do not let leaves dry out)
KOHLRABI - store kohlrabi bulb separately from leaves, bulb keeps 1 month if wrapped in damp cloth or plastic bag
LEEKS - store leeks unwashed with roots attached, keeps in fridge for 2 weeks
MINT - store in glass of water in the fridge
PARSLEY - for short term storage can be stored in glass of water in fridge
PARSNIP - cut off tops, store unwashed in fridge in plastic bag for 1-2 weeks
PEAS - use fresh peas as soon as possible, but can be stored in fridge 4-5 days max in plastic bag (will lose sweetness in storage)
PEPPERS - can be stored unwashed for 1-2 weeks in vegetable drawer
POTATOES - baby potatoes store unwashed in fridge for 1-2 weeks
RADISHES - store up to 2 weeks wrapped in damp cloth (store greens separately)
RHUBARB - store in fridge wrapped in damp cloth up to 1 week
SPINACH - wrap in damp cloth and store in vegetable drawer
SUMMER SQUASH - store in damp cloth in vegetable drawer (if cut or bruised the squash will deteriorate quickly)
TURNIP - store turnips unwashed, in damp cloth in vegetable drawer (store greens separately)

Store at Room Temperature

BASIL - should be used as soon as possible, so can be stored at room temperature until use (do not wash)
BEETS - best used fresh as soon as possible, so can be stored at room temperature until use
CUCUMBERS - best stored at room temperature and eaten as soon as possible (but fridge is needed to retain moisture)
DILL - best if used immediately
EGGPLANT - best if used immediately when it's fresh, can store in cool room temperature
GARLIC - can be stored as whole bulbs in a dark cupboard, hanging braids, or in woven baskets for air flow if room is cool
POTATOES - baby potatoes can be stored 2-3 days maximum at room temp, keep larger potatoes at room temp but out of light (2 weeks)
TOMATILLOS - store well at room temperature with husks on
TOMATOES - can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week, do not refrigerate unless cut (will deteriorate quickly)
WINTER SQUASH - stores best at room temperature for a month, if storing longer keep in slightly colder conditions
ZUCCHINI - store zucchini in vegetable drawer of fridge for 3-4 days (does not keep well if bruised or cut)

Store in Root Cellar / Cold Room

BEETS - can be stored in root cellar, unwashed (in darkness) in breathable crates
CABBAGE - can last many months in proper cold cellar storage
CARROTS - store in root cellar (unwashed) in bins of moist sand or soil
CELERIAC - keep 6-8 months in cold cellar storage
GARLIC - stores very well in cool dark dry place, keeps several months (store as whole bulbs, in baskets, paper bags, hanging braids etc)
LEEKS - can be buried in damp sand for longer term storage (do not let leeks freeze)
ONIONS - store onions with wrappers on, in cool dry ventilated room (warmth/moisture causes onions to sprout)
PARSNIP - can be stored in cool room buried in moist sand (do not let parsnips freeze)
POTATOES - store in root cellar unwashed, with good air flow but NO light (and do not store near apples)
PUMPKINS - store in a cool dry place with good air flow, keep for several months depending on the variety
RADISHES - daikon and winter radishes can be stored unwashed in moist sand (do not let freeze)
TURNIP - storage variety of turnips can be stored in moist sand for longer storage in cold cellar room
WINTER SQUASH - can be stored for several months in cold cellar (keep dry, and do not let freeze)

Freezer Storage Tips

BASIL - freeze fresh leaves in airtight bag, but do NOT thaw before using, OR freeze basil pesto in ice cube trays
BEANS - for best results blanch beans before storing in sealed bags in freezer (keep 6-12 months)
BROCCOLI - blanch a few minutes, rinse in cold water, then store in sealed bag
CHARD - freezes well, blanch chopped leaves, rinse with cold water, drain and store in airtight bag
CORN - freezes well, blanch on or off the cob 3-5 min, rinse in cold water, dry well, then store in airtight containers
EGGPLANT - for longer term storage, eggplant can be roasted with oil & salt and stored in airtight containers
KALE - kale freezes well, de-stem then blanch for 2 min, rinse in cold water, store in airtight containers or bags
PEAS - can be frozen, blanch 2 minutes, rinse in cold water, rain, store in airtight containers (shell peas need to be shelled)
PEPPERS - can be frozen, cut into pieces and store in airtight containers or bags
PUMPKINS - can be cooked, mashed and store in airtight containers
RHUBARB - can be frozen (fresh chopped, or cooked) in airtight containers
SPINACH - freezes well, blanch 1-2 min, rinse in cold water, drain, store in airtight containers
SUMMER SQUASH - cooked squash stores well in airtight containers
TOMATOES - freeze tomatoes whole or roasted on a cookie sheet, then store in airtight bags or containers
WINTER SQUASH - freeze cooked squash in airtight containers to use in soup or stews, or baking
ZUCCHINI - can be frozen shredded or pureed, for use in baking or winter soups

Dehydrating Tips

BASIL - dries well in dehydrator, store in glass jars after fully dried
CELERIAC - can be dehydrated to make a delicious seasoning for soups
CILANTRO - do not dehydrate as it loses all flavour
DILL - can be dried for longer term storage
KALE - dries well, as kale "chips" or kale sprinkle to be added to soups and stews in winter
MINT - leaves dry well for winter teas, de-stem before drying
PARSLEY - dries well in dehydrator
PEPPERS - dehydrate well, and hot peppers can be strung up to hang-dry in a room with good airflow
ROSEMARY - hang dry in bunches or bundles in paper bags
SAGE - flavour increases with drying
ZUCCHINI - dehydrates well as zucchini "chips", then stored in airtight glass jars or containers

Reference - From Asparagus to Zucchini: A Guide to Cooking Farm-Fresh Seasonal Produce, by Madison Area CSA Coalition
We are grateful for all those who have saved seeds, tended land, and passed on plant knowledge before us. We live on Treaty 1 territory, traditional territory of the Anishanaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Metis. 
As a small act of reparation a portion of our farm proceeds is donated to Indigenous-led food security programs in Manitoba.


For all Farm Store orders you will receive an email with specific pick-up / delivery details.
CSA VEGGIE SHARE PICK-UP AT THE FARM: FRIDAYS 4-6 PM


Swallowtail Farmstead
44041 PR 210 Road, Ste. Anne, MB
                          Mailing address: Box 48 Group 55 RR1, Ste. Anne, MB R5H 1R1                           
Email: hello(at)swallowtailfarmstead.ca


  • Home
    • About Us
    • Growing Practices
    • This farm / this land
    • Where to Find Us
  • Vegetables
    • 2025 Veggie CSA >
      • CSA FAQ
      • Community Fund
      • Plant-Based Recipes
      • Veg Storage Tips
    • Spring Greens Shares
  • Herbs
    • Fresh Herb Shares
  • Farm Stand
  • Online Shop
    • CSA Community Fund Donation
    • Micro-Bakery
    • Veg, Flowers & Fruit
    • Pantry Items
    • Herbal Goods >
      • Herbal Teas
      • Soaps & Body Care
      • Honeys & Sugars
      • Syrups, Fire Cider, Bitters, Oils
  • Contact
  • Farm Journal