How to Clean Homegrown Vegetables: Tips for Keeping Your Kitchen Clean

When you harvest homegrown vegetables, it’s common for soil to cling to them. This is natural because of the way certain vegetables grow and are harvested. However, bringing all that soil into your kitchen to clean homegrown vegetables can be a messy experience. Here are some practical tips for keeping your kitchen clean and leaving most of the soil outdoors before bringing vegetables inside for final cleaning.

Some vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, radishes, and turnips, grow underground, making it difficult to avoid soil clinging to them when harvested. Additionally, vegetables like zucchini or squash may rest on the soil surface as they mature, resulting in soil clinging to the underside when harvested.

To minimize the mess and keep your kitchen clean, consider the following quick and efficient ways to clean your homegrown vegetables before bringing them indoors:

1. Pre-Cleaning

As you harvest, gently wipe “dusty” vegetables with a damp cloth to remove initial dirt. Trim any unnecessary roots or stems.

2. Outdoor Washing

Use a vegetable brush and outdoor water source and gently remove dirt and debris. Transfer to the kitchen for a final rinse.

Use a colander or mesh strainer to rinse vegetables with an outdoor hose or faucet. Place the container directly in the garden to allow the runoff water to water your plants simultaneously. You can also rinse over a bucket to save water for later use in the garden.

Plastic mesh bags, such as the ones used for onions or oranges, are also handy for rinsing crops like green beans, peas, onions, or cherry tomatoes.  Rinse with the hose and hang to drain. 

3. Large Harvests

For large harvests, consider using a dedicated laundry basket or similar sturdy waterproof perforated container for rinsing. Place the vegetables in the container, rinse them with an outdoor hose or faucet before a final rinse in the kitchen.

4. Dealing with Stubborn Soil

If rinsing does not remove the soil, you may need to clean the vegetables beforehand. Clay soil, in particular, can be sticky when wet and may require extra effort to remove. In such cases, use a bucket, dishpan, or wading pool filled with fresh water to swish the vegetables. Remove the debris with a vegetable brush or by rubbing with your fingers, and then rinse.

For more information about clay soil see Transplanting in Clay Soil.

5. Safety Considerations

Water source

Your outdoor water source should be safe drinking water for rinsing the vegetables.  If unsure, fill a bucket with safe drinking water for initial cleaning and rinsing outside.

Hose

Your hose should be drinking water safe when used for rinsing vegetables.  Look for a drinking water hose that is made of FDA-approved materials and BPA-free. 

Flanders Corp 22735 Camco TastePURE Fresh Water Hose ~ 1/2″ x 25 Ft. – DRINKING WATER HOSE – 25 FT. Super heavy-duty hose is reinforced for – maximum kink resistance Especially useful when hooked with a – Y-valve to your main faucet Made of FDA approved materials – NSF Certified Drinking water safe and BPA free CSA low lead content certified

By following these simple yet effective methods for cleaning homegrown vegetables, you can keep your kitchen clean and ensure that most of the soil stays outdoors.

Remember, the key is to pre-rinse and wash your vegetables outside before bringing them inside for a final rinse, minimizing the mess and effort required in the kitchen.

With these tips, you can enjoy the rewards of homegrown produce without the hassle of dealing with excessive soil indoors. Happy gardening and happy cooking!