How to Grow Washcloths in the Garden Because Damn They Are Pumpkins
Loofahs are great for exfoliating skin, and although one of them is my constant companion in the shower, I had no idea what it was. I hypothesized that the rough pipes were either natural sea sponges or perhaps produced in some way in a factory. But it turns out that they are actually a plant from the pumpkin family, and you can grow them right in your backyard. Their scientific name is Luffa aegyptiaca , and outwardly they resemble a cucumber. Inside, you’ll find an edible pumpkin-like pulp that, when overripe, turns into the familiar flaky mesh tubes. Who knew: All this time, we were paying $ 5.99 for store-bought washcloths, when we could have just picked them from the vine ourselves. Here’s what you need to know in order to grow an unlimited supply of cleaning sponges.
Prepare the seeds
Loofah (or loofah) seeds can be found at your local garden store or ordered online (I know Amazon has them – mind-blowing ones). As with any planting process, you want to give them the best possible germination opportunity. Savvy Gardens recommends soaking the seeds in a bowl of water for 24 hours before planting. (For even better results, use a heating pad to speed up the germination process.)
Plant in a warm environment
The loofah plant grows like a summer squash and takes 150 to 200 consecutive warm days to grow and mature. So if you live in a place like Florida or California that has lots of nice sunny days, you are in the perfect place to grow your loofah. Those living in cooler regions like the northeast should first plant the seeds in pots inside their home and then replant them outside right before summer begins. According to DIY site The Art of Doing Stuff, this is one of the most difficult parts of the growing process; they suggest using indoor paper pots so that you can plant outdoors without removing them from the pots, “[reducing] the risk of transplant shock to Luffa plants.” Outdoor planting six to eight weeks before summer will give you the best chance of a healthy transplant. Luffa plants can grow up to 30 feet tall , so once you’re ready to plant outdoors, you’ll need something sturdy for the plant’s vines to catch on to, such as a chain-mesh fence. Make sure your plant is in a place where there is a lot of direct sunlight, otherwise the loofah may not mature. Savvy Gareding notes: “It is important … to stimulate rapid and consistent growth by maintaining soil moisture and regularly feeding the plants.”
Be patient and let the loofah turn brown
To achieve the desired fibrous texture of the loofah, the plants must mature after the end of their edible phase. The bright green color of the skin should change to dark brown before picking. You can check if your loofah is ready for harvest by shaking it on the vine; According to horticultural website The Spruce , if you hear the rustling of seeds inside, it means that the fibers are completely dry and solidified. (Remember that this process can take 150 to 200 days, so be patient.)
Clean and dry
Now that the plant has hardened, you need to peel off the outer casing to expose the fibrous stem underneath. You can do this by cracking the skin at the bottom end (opposite the stem) and peeling it off with your fingers. Squeeze the pumpkin to create cracks that will make it easier to clean. You can also soak the plant in water to remove the skin while wet, but this will increase the post-drying time required before the loofah is ready to use. After you’ve successfully removed all of the skin, beat out any remaining seeds (hold a few the next time you want to plant a new loofah) and clean off any unwanted particles with soapy water. Place the washcloth in the sun for a full 24 hours, turning it over from time to time until it is completely dry. After the loofah is completely dry, it is immediately ready for use. Congratulations. You just made your loofah.