CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - One of the most thoughtful gifts is the one you grow yourself.
Sharing her garden wisdom with QC Life is Sara Rubens of Seed to Sanctuary. She’s got a perfect idea for next year’s Christmas gifts: grow your own gourd loofah.
Timing is simple: plant a seed around April 15 and in about nine months you’ll have a big, beautiful gourd. The plant produces pretty yellow flowers and climbing vines, and you’ll typically harvest around October 15. Let the gourds cure in a cool, dry place (a garage works well) until the skin turns brown and the interior is completely dry.
To turn a cured gourd into a loofah sponge, soak it in warm water overnight so the outer skin softens. Peel the skin away to reveal the fibrous interior, then cut the loofah into usable pieces. For sanitation, give the pieces a Clorox bath and dry them overnight. The result is a durable, organic sponge you can use for pots and pans or in the shower!
Pair your homemade loofah with lavender sprigs or a small bar of soap for a lovely, sustainable gift. These sponges are naturally long-lasting and have antibacterial qualities thanks to their plant fibers.
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Sara is also an author; her new book, A Love Letter for the Garden-Centered Life, offers tips, recipes, and everyday wisdom for living with a garden at the center of your life.
To learn more visit www.seedtosanctuary.com and follow @seed2sanctuary.
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