Best way to keep produce fresh?

[Ramsey]

Hello, just as the subject reads, I was hoping to get some ideas on how to get the most life out of my organic store-bought produce for my baby.

I am getting mainly kale, baby kale and romain right now. I'll be adding some cactus too.

The problem is, my little guy is so small that he doesn't eat all the food and a lot of it goes bad in the fridge. I can't exactly but smaller portions either.

Thoughts on how to get the most life out of it?

Thanks!

 

[dmmj]

I use those green bags they sold a while back that keep stuff fresh for weeks and weeks and weeks

 

[Blakem]

When you notice a black or gooey piece, pick it out. Those seem to make the others go as quickly. Otherwise, put it in a bag and press the air out like its vacuum shut.

Do you feed your leopard tortoise weeds, grasses, mazuri, flowers, cactus or anything you see in the leopard diet sheet?

 

[JoesMum]

With little guys you have to accept waste or eat salad yourself.

Variety is variety over time though. So, if you buy a bag of spring mix, use that up and then when you buy something next time get something different.

You don't need variety within every meal. Doing this can help to reduce waste.

 

[stevenf625]

Can find these at Walmart and some supermarkets
Rubbermaid freshworks. Supposed to extend life of greens 80%

 

[Tom]

The BEST solution is to get more tortoises so it all gets eaten up quicker!

In all seriousness, kale is not a good staple. Neither is romaine. Neither of those should be fed very often for a variety of reasons. Weeds and leaves are best, but if you can't do those because of the weather where you are, then favor endive and escarole as your main staples. Add in dandelion greens, cilantro, kale, collard greens, mustard and turnip greens, carrot tops, celery tops, etc... for variety.

I don't know what species you are feeding, but adding some wheat grass or soaked ZooMed grassland pellets is a good way to add some needed fiber to grocery store greens. Rehydrated blended up grass hay can work too. Add these thing in small amounts at first.

 

[cmacusa3]

Yes more torts! Lol.

I agree with Tom, I buy Endive, Escarole, dandelion greens, romaine, mustard greens, radicchio. And a few other greens. I let it dry a little before I cut it up and then I mix it all together in one big tub. Then I put it in smaller ziplock type containers and line the bottom with paper towels that will soak up the moisture and I can make it last a few weeks.

Then when I feed I occasionally put mazuri on it.

 

[TammyJ]

I use everything appropriate that I get from the supermarket within a week, for the tortoises, the iguanas, the rats and the humans. In that order.

 

[stevenf625]

Yes more torts! Lol.

I agree with Tom, I buy Endive, Escarole, dandelion greens, romaine, mustard greens, radicchio. And a few other greens. I let it dry a little before I cut it up and then I mix it all together in one big tub. Then I put it in smaller ziplock type containers and line the bottom with paper towels that will soak up the moisture and I can make it last a few weeks.

Then when I feed I occasionally put mazuri on it.

Dehydrating greens slightly so that they last longer - brilliant!

 

[Kapidolo Farms]

I buy spring mix and other greens (arugula, baby kale, etc.) in 3 pound bags that have many micro holes in them. Those greens will keep well for about a week and half to two weeks. So, I've kept those bags and reuse them to their ruin.

I use them for case purchases of romaine and Escarole, as the boxes don't use frig space well.

Tom hit the mark by saying get more tortoises.

 

[Ramsey]

Thanks for the input. I think I'll go the Rubbermaid route.

Also, about the extra tortoises. Now that I got my parameters corrected and my guy is healthy, I'm actually considering a second as a companion

 

[cmacusa3]

Thanks for the input. I think I'll go the Rubbermaid route.

Also, about the extra tortoises. Now that I got my parameters corrected and my guy is healthy, I'm actually considering a second as a companion

He doesn't need or want a companion. If you get a second get a second enclosure. This site is full of bad stories about torts in pairs. They may work in groups but depends on what sex they end up being.

 

[saginawhxc]

Can find these at Walmart and some supermarkets
Rubbermaid freshworks. Supposed to extend life of greens 80%

I've been curious as to how well these containers work. That being said they don't make them big enough for me anyways.

 

[saginawhxc]

Five tortoises, two guinea pigs, and a rabbit. It's a rare day any greens I buy go bad.

You simply need more animals.

 

[MPRC]

We share our greens with the tortoises, granted with 6 redfoots I don't really have stuff "Go bad" - it just goes bye bye!

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Paper towels. That's the trick!

I use the clear tubs that spring mix or spinach is sold in.
Line the bottom of the tub with paper towels, add your greens, top with another paper towel and put the lid on. My greens will last weeks this way!!
I eat a lot of salad and don't often feed it to my tort but I still keep all my greens this way. I've seen a huge improvement in the way they keep since using paper towels.