Carrots are one of the most versatile produce items around; in fact, you probably have some fresh carrots in your fridge right now, but it's possible that you aren't maximizing their lifespan. Luckily, there are a few simple storage tricks that can help you maximize your carrots' shelf life.

The first step to take upon unpacking a bunch of carrots is to separate the leafy, green carrot tops from the roots themselves. Trimming the greens is essential, because if left intact, the greens will be in direct competition with the carrot root for moisture, and the greens will usually win and absorb the juice out of your carrots.

The best way to keep your top-free carrots fresh is by storing them in the fridge inside an airtight bag. This method works by counteracting the refrigerator's dry air, which can dehydrate the vegetables. Because the bag is sealed, the environment remains more moist and humid, ultimately keeping the carrots crisper.

Some experts tout another trick for keeping carrots crisp and fresh: completely submerging them in water in an airtight container. As for how long carrots will last when stored in the fridge submerged in water, there's no true consensus so far, with claims ranging from one week to up to a month.