I try every year to add something new to my garden that I’ve never grown before. This year, one of the things I added was a row of luffa (also called loofa) right next to my fence in a section that the goats can’t get to. They are quite lovely, as far as fence decorations go. They greet me during the sunny hours with lovely yellow blossoms along the top of the fence. Did you know that luffas (as in the exfoliating sponges from the “health & beauty” department) are actually gourds? I had no idea either until I spotted them in a seed catalog! They are even edible if you pick them small, but that’s not what I had in mind.
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| Luffa Vines on the Fence |
There’s just this one little thing they aren’t doing though…
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| One Lonely Luffa Gourd |
Making luffas. I have ONE, yes one luffa from the 2 packs of seeds I planted. It’s very pretty. I’m sure it will be great for use in the shower, but it’s only one. I had grand plans of placing one in every Christmas gift basket I made this year. A homegrown luffa with a special “grown with love” tag tied on with a wee piece of raffia would have looked so lovely, but alas, I have but the one, so it’s mine all mine!
Maybe next year I’ll have enough to share. I plan to plant them again. After all, my fence would look naked without them!
So what about you? Have you ever grown your own luffa? How did it turn out?
Happily shared on the Clever Chicks Blog Hop!
I am so sad, I was lookig to get some of your louffa.
Kelli B
I know, right? From what I’m reading, there still might be hope if the frost holds off a long time. They are just slow and maybe needed longer with the high temps.
I’ve never grown them, but I wonder if you might get your seeds somewhere else next year.
Blessings,
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage
A kind reader emailed me a link with more info about them. Apparently I needed to get them in the ground earlier. I suppose I’ll know for next time! 🙂