Know when to throw: fruit and veg

Learn when your fruit and vegetables can be rescued or when they are past the point of no return and destined for compost.

Vile veg!

Take a look at your vegetables. If they are a bit dry or limp they can be rescued but if they are mushy, slimy, or discoloured they are rotten and you should discard them. Some veg behaves differently when it goes bad.

Lose that bruise

While mushiness and wrinkles signal that your fruit is no longer good to eat, bruised fruit can be salvaged. Bruises are caused by damage in transport or handling rather than spoilage. Simply cut away the bruised part and then enjoy the rest of the fruit.

Foul fruit!

To check whether soft fruits can be saved you need to examine their skins. The skins of fruits like apricots, plums, and grapes should be smooth not wrinkled or peeling away.

When fruit is going off it tends to start smelling bad, so ditch any fruits with a foul odour.

Give hard fruits , such as melons, a squeeze. They should be quite firm with no squashy areas. Check the skin for any dark patches, which develop when the fruit is off.

Save your greens

Leafy greens can wilt within a couple of days but this doesn’t always mean you have to bin them. Soak stems in warm water for around 10–15 minutes. If this doesn’t revive them then pop them in the compost.