How to Store and Enjoy Early Spring Produce (Without Wasting a Bite)

Early spring brings a wave of fresh local flavours to savour, these cool weather crops are delicate, and we at Horton want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your market haul to extend freshness and use up every morsel. 

We’ve prepared a practical reference storage guide—simple, clear, and built with real kitchens in mind—complete with a few ideas to prevent waste. With a little know-how, or even just a quick refresher, you can turn every bunch, stalk, and leaf into something delicious.
Because here's the thing: those vibrant radishes, peppery arugula, tender greens—they’re fleeting. They thrive in the cooler weeks of spring, and then just like that, they’re gone. So why not make the most of them while they last?
Maybe it’s as simple as keeping your herbs in a glass of water like flowers on your windowsill. Or wrapping your leafy greens in a damp towel so they stay crisp until your next salad. And if you've ever stared down a wilting beet top, wondering what to do with it—don’t toss it. Sauté it with a bit of garlic and oil, and you’ve got something nourishing and full of flavour.
The market isn’t just about what you buy. It’s about how you use it, stretch it, enjoy it. And with a little intention, those small early harvests can add up to something generous. Maybe even something a bit joyful.​

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Jacob Wilcox, EDC Summer Student ​

 Jacob is a St. Thomas-born, Wallacetown-raised artist and writer who recently completed a BA in Visual Art at York University. An avid Elgin County enthusiast, he has a deep appreciation for local businesses, rural life, community connections, and grassroots initiatives. From a young age, Jacob has been involved in local theatre--most notably Dutton’s community theatre, WEDS. As a practicing artist, he blends photography, writing, and illustration in both his personal work and marketing initiatives, with a focus on visual storytelling and brand identity. He is drawn to the beauty in the mundane, finds art in everyday life, and hopes to carry that perspective into a future career in community stewardship and education.