Save On Groceries

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Consumer Reports offers tips to keep fruits and veggies fresh, helping you save on groceries.

Place beets, broccoli and celery in the refrigerator crisper.

Store unwashed cherries, grapes and peppers in a plastic bag in the fridge.

Keep nectarines, peaches and plums at room temperature in a paper bag until they ripen, then refrigerate them.

Apples should be stored in a cool zone away from strong-smelling foods so they won't absorb the odors.

Don't shed the husk on the corn and keep it in the fridge's warm zone.

Don't snap off the ends of green beans, put them in an airtight container in the warm zone of the frig.

Wash leafy greens and put them in the salad spinner or the crisper in your icebox. Otherwise, keep the washed greens in a loosely tied plastic bag lined with paper towels.

Let melons ripe and then store them the fridge's warm zone. Always wash skin before cutting to avoid the spread of bacteria.

Keep unwashed mushrooms in a paper bag. Do not store them in plastic bags because it traps moisture making them slimy.

Do keep unwashed yellow squash and zucchini in plastic bags but in the frig's warm zone. But make sure you use them within two or three days of purchase.

Let avocados ripen outside of the refrigerator, place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana to speed up ripening.

Keep bananas in a bowl on the counter.

Store onions in a dark, well-ventilated place away from potatoes. They can absorb moisture from the potatoes.

Put potatoes in a cool dry place, but not the refrigerator because they will sprout.

Keep tomatoes at room temperature, and away from direct sunlight.