Need ideas for carrying harvest to the house

[Arduinna]

I've been using a bowl, but I know there has to be something better for bringing in the harvest.

Anyone have any great ideas?

[Lovesong]

It depends on what you are harvesting. For our parsley and light herbs that can take rough handling, we use big plastic ikea totes (any big bag/tote will do). Same for hard vegetables like carrots, potatoes, red beets and turnips. You can fill several at once, and then just carry inside.

For more sensitive things, like berries, we use netted, shallow trays that fit in the freezer so we can rinse the berries as we go and then just pop the tray into the freezer for a few hours before pouring into plastic bags for more permanent storage.

For things like tomatoes that needs to be handled somewhat delicately, see if you can find a large old fashioned basket that is not too deep. Better than a bowl, since it fits more, but still gentle.

[rhianna813]

I hear ya :-) I have been using a metal bowl, which actually works pretty well because it's washable and non breakable. Like Lovesong mentioned it depends on what you are bringing in. A washable bowl works great for root veggies that need are covered in dirt.

Large shallow baskets ( I just bought one at Goodwill) seem to be all purpose for most veg and herbs. "Flower" baskets that are sorta scooped work great for long items like flowers, herbs, garlic, leeks, carrots. But even though I love baskets, I do not have a lot of wall space to hang them :-(

For lettuce I use my salad spinner. I put the but leaves in the bowl part and fill it with water in the sink. Then transfer the wet lettuce to the spinning collander, dump the water (and remove the snails) and spin.

[insidevoice]

I like these 

http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/PBartlett/-strse-Garden-Hod/Categories.bok

But if you google 'clam hod' or 'garden hod' you can find load of them.

They work well as you can rinse things in them and the water drain out easily.  Also, they carry a decent amt, but not so much that you will crush things.

[Ruthiegirl]

I use a big metal bowl for most things.  I like that it has a solid bottom, so I don't trail dirt in the house.  For berries, I usually put them tight onto a cookie sheet and put them directly in the freezer -- otherwise they would all get eaten the second they were brought into the house.  

For a long time, my favorite carrier was a small laundry basket.  I could drag a load of potatoes to the hose and scrub and the dirt drains away easily.  It finally fell apart, but I think I'll get another one.  

I used to have a lovely, old basket that looked nice and made me feel rather picturesque while bringing in my veggies, but I quickly realized that gardening/farming is hard dirty work and tools and supplies need to stand up to a lot of abuse.  Now I just use whatever works and skip the aesthetics.  

[Arduinna]

Thanks for the suggestions. Now that we signed up for the CSA ( we moved and so I have to start a new garden) I need something to bring the produce home in. We get a 1/2 bushel of mixed greens, herbs, fruits and veggies. 

[Adaline'sMama]

For bigger harvests, or even for a couple of farmers market bags or regular grocery store trips I like to use a clothes basket with a hip indention in it.
I know its plastic, but I usually have a kid on my other hip, so for me its the only way not to have to make two separate trips.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/Product.asp?SKU=14597638