Cleaning up the Harvest | Designing A Good Wash/Pack Station

In today's video we get into the nuts and bolts of our wash/pack station, sometimes called a wash house or a packing house.

We cover: root washing, vegetable washing, greens washing, getting bugs out of lettuce, cleaning greens, what bags we use, what label printer we use, hands free washing, and more!

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[kannmann]

I still (2 years later) am floored about the pedal powered root washer idea. Because of you I really never had to wash roots any other way. We have ours setup with an adjustable rail system (like what you would find industrial electrical equipment mounted to). Definitely have yet to figure out a great way to move that large quantity of used water away from the table but hey, constantly improving is good right?

[conniewojahn]

I am not a market gardener or a home food garden person. I simply like to watch your videos because I like to watch them. Well done, thoughtful, and I learn something every time. I really like how you're sharing knowledge with other veggie gardeners, and I really, really like your enthusiasm for what you do. Maybe that's what attracts me to your channel. Stay the course, veggie man, and enjoy the journey. Thanks.

[thechasebake]

Started a market garden last year, and your videos have been incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to create this content and honestly share your experiences.

[lauraoverholt]

At the farm where I work we use bathtubs for washing both greens and roots. They are obviously not installed as regular bathtubs as they're at waist height. (And they've never been used for their original intended purpose, ofc!) They work fantastically well for greens - you can just fill the tub, dump a whole bin full at once, and get it done very quickly. We have three tubs so if you need multiple washes you just move down the line toward the spinner. It's great for sorting out the bugs, bad leaves, etc. because more surface area and a white background makes them really easy to see and remove, especially if you have good lighting installed over the wash area (I've worked without and that was abysmal). For roots it keeps most of the splashing contained and the water just runs down the drain (pvc pipes carry the water well away from the wash/pack area). And the tubs are easy to clean!

[gregorydeemer]

Great wash ideas. The way to separate 5 gallon buckets: get them hot in sun, spray cold water on inner bucket, it shrinks and slides right out 4:56

[SeeStuDo]

Love it. Hyper Nerd Fan Club for life! ❤

[vlunceford]

I’m a backyard gardener and grow for fun and family only. I still love your “nerdy” videos! Wish you’d do another one on how you clean garlic post-harvest. ❤

[thecanadianbackyardfarmer]

I have spent far too much time over the years trying to pull apart 5 gallon buckets, I wholeheartedly agree that's one of the strongest bonds known to man 😂

[goodboysongs]

Yesss. We’re just about to replace our wash pack that was destroyed in a hurricane last year. Perfect timing

Edit: Wash Vegas. Definitely calling it that from now on.

[ejrashaw]

Second year small farmer here, just wanted to say how helpful your videos are! Thank you 👍

[dakotathoman]

Thank you! I am not a market gardener by any means, but I love your channel and I grow some of my own food. I really appreciate your insight on washing roots and greens. The washing machine conversion to a salad spinner is amazing!

[Jacques.Bodaire]

Hey Jesse, I see this video doesn't have the kind of views you were maybe hoping for but I want to extend a personal thank you for it. I've iterated and revised my harvest->wash->pack flow a few times now and this has been a great resource in preparation for the coming season.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

[coopsblooms]

Vented bags! Yes. We bag and sell a ton of baby carrots at market. We actually sell more topped carrots than carrots in bunches. It’s interesting

[MikeGtrMan]

Hi! Great video!

Little side note: if the white tape I see in your washing station's plumbing is plumber's tape, you should know it is called Teflon tape here in the Netherlands. It contains a lot of PFAS, aka forever chemicals. I try to get rid of/boycot all that is connected to those chemicals and I know you don't like them either so I just wanted to mention it.

Have a great day! Thanks for making these video's :)

[terrydoble]

Insert an air nozzle between two buckets / bins that are stuck together…..will pop apart with a blast of air.

[tjfaudale]

Been reading through The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman as my wife and I have been considering starting a small 1/4 acre market garden. This video has definitely confirmed that we are no where near ready to start a market garden. I had already been considering spending the next 2 years growing green manure to have the field ready for crops in a few years so definitely going to begin researching all the additional infrastructure that you so plainly and helpfully lay out in this video. Thanks for all you do and spending the time to nerd out with out with us about the finer details that newbies like my wife and I didn't even think to consider. Also, definitely buying a hat at some point soon! Love the channel! Cheers from southwest VA.

[bywateracres]

Thanks for making this video, I appreciate you sharing your process!

[ColettesGarden]

I love your foot controlled sprayer! Brilliant!

[theclotshotdidit]

Thanks, I only have a small garden with one raised bed.

A dozen potato buckets I'm cycling (first early/second early/main crop) so I shouldn't have to buy any or at least much less.

I love your videos on soil health, getting interested in scaling up a bit.

Contacted a local growing group I'm hoping to join.

1st strawberry eaten today from mine, a handful of peas in the freezer waiting for friends 😂

Hope to move out of London in a few years and get a huge garden, maybe a small field.

[timothyohliger]

I'm curious what your using for a nozzle / spray tip on the wash station which is foot operated? The fitting after the 90 degree brass? thanks, love the video and your channel.