I’d guess that 3/4 of my female readership has luffa sponges hanging around their bathrooms. I’d guess that virtually all of you think that these things come from the ocean. Would you believe me if I told you that these actually come from a vegetable? No?
Well… would you believe this person?
For the third autumn in a row I am pleased to be harvesting my shower sponge for next year. Now I know that must sound like a strange statement but it’s true. Many people are surprised when they find out I grow my own Luffa sponges. “Don’t those come from the sea?”, is the standard question to which I respond that the Luffa is a vegetable you can grow in your very own garden.
This annual requires a long growing season of frost free weather. But for those of you in colder climates it is possible to start seedlings indoors and then transplant them outside allowing you to grow your own sponges. The vine can grow to great lengths producing beautiful yellow flowers all summer. Next spring I will be sure to remind you to start your sponges. Right now though I am focused on the harvest. I almost waited too late to get my Luffa started this spring so I was lucky to get a hand full of mature sponges.
If he didn’t have pictures of the process I would probably not believe him. So… ‘fess up… who knew about this and didn’t tell anyone?
November 28th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
I knew! They have seeds in them..
November 28th, 2006 at 11:04 pm
I should’ve guessed you’d know.
December 13th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
I knew it…not b/c I’m girly but b/c I date a Mediterranean. And I’ll tell you, those things leave you feeling baby soft (my guess is mainly b/c they take off the top layer of your skin)!