Did you ever wonder where a Loofah Sponge came from? I bet you were thinking from the sea or ocean? Right?
Nope! From your garden! Last year I started growing loofah’s at my parents house. We did pretty good, so we thought we would try it again this year.
I started the seeds in the house under a grow light in the early spring. And once the frost was past we planted them in the ground. My dad worked hard at placing a trellis for it to grow on all around it.
Last year was very rainy and wet and the loofah’s didn’t do to good. But this year had been much drier and hot. And the loofah’s have just loved it.
Here’s the Loofah Flowers being pollinated by the wonderful bumble bees that love the bright yellow colors and strong smell they put off. The patch is about 8-10 feet long and going. It stands about 6 foot tall in some places. You can see all the blooms and every day there are more of the vegetables growing! (Yes, it’s a Vegetable…you could get them if you want)
Here’s just two of the hanging loofahs that are growing. You can see that the second one is hanging on the inside of the Trellis. Soon the leaves will start to die off and the Loofahs will start to dry and brown. Then will will harvest them and peel back the skins to find the sponges inside!
You’ll need to use a garden hose and clean the sponge off. I normally beat the sponge on the ground, picnic table, esc, to knock out the seeds on the inside. (They will fly everywhere, so you’ll want to do it outside.) Then I lay them out to dry. You can bleach them if you want, but it’s not needed.
Edited to add: I’ve had a few people ask where I get the seeds from, so I thought I would just update. I got them in the early spring at the local Rural King. I’m not sure how national they are, but maybe check other garden care stores.
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Sep 23rd, 2010 |
Author: Rockin' Momma |
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On September 24th, 2010 at 7:17 am Miri commented:
Learn something new every day! Thanks for the info and the terrific pictures!
On September 24th, 2010 at 8:19 am Melissa commented:
So, are they edible too? If so, what do they taste like?
On September 24th, 2010 at 8:24 am Rockin' Momma commented:
They are a squash and you can eat them now while they are meaty.
I’d guess they’d taste something like a squash. I’ve never ate
one yet maybe I should.
On September 24th, 2010 at 8:57 am Al commented:
I had these in my backyard growing up in Jamaica.
On September 24th, 2010 at 10:38 am alissia m commented:
Hello! I am a new follower. I found you on New Friend Friday! Great blog you
have here. Hope you stop on by. Have a wonderful weekend! I look forward to your
posts!!
Thanks,
Alissia
http://tips4green.blogspot.com
On September 24th, 2010 at 11:37 am Maryellen commented:
Hello:
I’m a new follower from Friendly Friday Follow.
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On September 24th, 2010 at 4:25 pm Bonni commented:
Great post! I’m your newest follower from FFF blog hop! Would love for you to
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On September 24th, 2010 at 9:44 pm Kristin commented:
Wow! I learned something!!
I’m your newest follower from FFF!
Kristin
Keenly Kristin
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On September 24th, 2010 at 11:49 pm Coupon Mamacita commented:
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On September 24th, 2010 at 11:54 pm Debby commented:
New follower here. I had to check it out after I read the name. Check me
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On September 24th, 2010 at 11:58 pm Debby commented:
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On September 25th, 2010 at 11:37 am Hanna commented:
Hi there! I’m your newest follower form the weekend blog hop.
Lovely blog!!! You can find me at http://www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com
On September 25th, 2010 at 12:13 pm Beth Willis commented:
Follower stopping by to say hi on Saturday Stalking for Savings
- hope you’ll follow back, thanks!
http://bethscoupondeals.blogspot.com/
On September 28th, 2010 at 5:38 pm Carol commented:
That is so interesting!
I’m a new follower! Will you follow me?
http://songberries.blogspot.com/2010/09/follow-me-back-tuesday_28.html
On September 28th, 2010 at 9:03 pm Christianne @ Little Page Turners commented:
I bought one at a farmer’s market, but so far it hasn’t dried
right. Maybe I just need to peel the skins?
On September 29th, 2010 at 2:20 am Danyale commented:
I’m following from Lucas’s Journey w/SPD’s
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Please Follow Back! Thanks
On September 29th, 2010 at 10:13 am Loofah Sponges: Grow Your Own commented:
[...] via Rockin’ Deals » Blog Archive » Where do Loofah sponges come from?. [...]
On September 29th, 2010 at 12:45 pm Ruthie Joyce commented:
Wow. Never new they were a vegetable. I see a homeschool project in the works.
New follower from blog hop. Would love a follow back.
Have a great day!
Ruthie Joyce
http://www.mysocalledhomeschoollife.com
On September 29th, 2010 at 8:15 pm Jerri commented:
How interesting! Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites!
On September 30th, 2010 at 8:48 am Jessica commented:
This is the coolest thing I’ve read all day!!! I had no clue! I want to grow loofas!! Where do you get them from?
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Hello!
I’m a new follower from Friendly Friday Follow. I would love it if you could
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On October 3rd, 2010 at 9:51 pm momstheword commented:
Wow, that is amazing. I totally didn’t know that! Thanks for
linking up today!