So Fresh and So Green Green

After tonight's broccoli debacle (fungus...gross), I decided it might be a good idea to discuss the proper storage and shelf life of common fruits and vegetables, especially since we are taking a look at vegetable dishes this week!  How you store your veggies and fruits will affect their texture and flavor, and of course, the better the texture and flavor, the more likely we are to enjoy eating them!

Veggies

Artichokes - Keep in a dry plastic bag.  Will last several weeks at room temperature, or 2 weeks in the fridge.
Asparagus - Break off some of the bottoms, and place upright in 1 inch of water and refrigerate.  Will last 7-10 days. 
Broccoli - Keep in the fridge.  Will last 1 week.
Brussel Sprouts - If they are harvested on the vine, hand them upside down and store dry at a cool temperature and they will last 1 month.  If they are harvested individually, they will last 7-10 days in the fridge.
Cabbage - Will last several weeks in your fridge's crisper drawer.
Carrots - Will last up to 4 weeks if refrigerated in a bag in a crisper drawer.
Cauliflower - Will last for a week in the fridge.
Celery - Will stay crisp for a week in the fridge.
Corn - Should be eaten immediately since it loses its sugar content and turns starchy quickly! 
Cucumber - Will stay fresh in the fridge for 7-10 days.  Don't store it at too cold of a temperature or the flesh will go bad.
Eggplant - Will stay fresh in the fridge for 7-10 days.
Garlic - Keep it dry and at room temperature in the mesh baggy.  If you are able to, hang it!
Lettuce - Will last 7-10 days in a fridge crisper.  Not using steel edges to cut it will also keep it from browning and going bad quickly!
Mushrooms - Will last 5 days in the fridge.  Don't store them in a plastic bag though!
Onions - Will last for 2 weeks if stored in a cool, dry place.  They are best if stored in a mesh bag or hanging basket with air circulation.
Peppers - Will last in the fridge for a week.
Potatoes - Will last for a few weeks if kept in a cool, dry place with good circulation. 
Radishes - Will keep for 7-10 days in a fridge crisper.
Spinach - Will hold for a week in the fridge, but really should be cooked/eaten immediately.
Sweet Potatoes - If you do not wash them before storing them in a cool dark place, they will last up to 4 months!
Tomatoes - Will last 2-4 weeks if refrigerated, but they tend to lose their flavor over long periods of time.
Zucchini - If you do not wash before storing, they will last 1 week in the fridge.

Fruits 

Apples - When stored in a cool dark place, will last up to 4 months.
Bananas - Will last 5-7 days, but need to be kept at a temperature above 58 degrees to avoid freezer burn. 
Blackberries - Will only last 1 or 2 days and should not be washed until they are ready to be eaten.
Blueberries - Will last a few days when stored in the fridge.
Canteloupe - Will last 7 days when stored at room temperature.
Honey Dew - Will last 7 days when stored at room temperature.
Lemons - Will last for several weeks at room temperature.  Don't store in the fridge because the lemons will absorb the flavors of your fridge!
Limes - Will last for several weeks at room temperature.  Don't store in the fridge because the limes will absorb the flavors of your fridge!
Mangos - Will last 5-7 days when ripened at room temperature in a brown bag and then moved to the fridge. 
Peaches - Will last 5-7 days when ripened at room temperature in a brown bag and then moved to the fridge.
Pears - Will last 5-7 days when ripened at room temperature in a brown bag and then moved to the fridge.
Pineapple - Will ripen in 2-3 days when stored upside down at either room temperature or in the fridge.
Plums - Will last 5-7 days when ripened at room temperature in a brown bag and then moved to the fridge. 
Raspberries - Will only last 1 or 2 days and should not be washed until they are ready to be eaten. 
Strawberries - Will last a few days when stored in the fridge.
Watermelon - Will last 7 days when stored at room temperature.