The Harvest

Step 1:
Twist the loofah from the vine.  If the loofah does not twist off...have Josh run in the house for a pair of scissors.

Step 2:
Make sure you have the "How to Harvest Loofah" web page up on the iPad

Step 3:
Hit the loofah against the ground to loosen up the seeds.

Step 4:
Pop the bottom off of the loofah and shake the seeds free.  Good seeds for the next planting will be black....light, pliable ones are not as viable.

Step 5:
Peel the loofah.  Max was so excited about this.  He peeled a minuscule piece and decided it was a better job for daddy.  On account of icky-ness.

 

 

Step 6:
Rinse off the loofah with high pressure from a hose.  This will free up the rest of the seeds.

Step 7:
The website says that you can keep the natural color of the loofah (no bleaching) but I saw on another sight that it is good practice to bleach to make sure you kill any mold spores.  I opt to bleach!

Step 8:  After bleaching/rinsing....allow the loofah to dry completely in the sun.  Do not over dry, it will become hard. 

We have 6 more to harvest....get ready for loofah and home-made scrub for xmas!

xo~M