I'm looking for tips on how to effectively clean greens like kale and cabbage before eating them. My current method involves soaking them in a big bowl of vinegar water, then rinsing in a second bowl before rubbing off any bugs. After that, I rinse again in a third bowl and finally use a salad spinner to dry them off. It feels like a lot of work! Are there any quicker or better methods out there?
5 Answers
I add salt and baking soda to my soaking water for about 10 minutes. It helps dislodge bugs, and then I rinse them off afterward. Works well for me!
I use salt too! Just enough to float the dead bugs to the top.
Your technique sounds pretty typical, and I've been doing something similar for years! The two water baths and spinner are pretty standard practices to get those greens clean and dry.
On a larger scale, many market gardeners use a tank with a bubbling manifold, like one you'd find in a hot tub or shop vacuum. The bubbles gently toss the greens in water, getting rid of dirt and insects without damaging the leaves, then they just drain and spin them dry. It’s efficient and gentle!
Before you even wash them, try spraying the plants off with a hose to get rid of as many pests as possible. I like the 'flat' option on my hose nozzle for that. Also, focusing on prevention helps—think about companion planting, better drip irrigation, and improving your soil health!
If you're looking to avoid pests altogether, consider growing your crops under row covers. It really helps keep the bugs off before you even have to think about cleaning!
I think I'll give that a shot!