Visit the Loofa Farm
Looking for an unusual experience and tour?
A visit to the Nipomo Luffa Farm might just do the trick!
The luffa gourd develops at the base of the flower, grow downward at one-half inch daily, and more than one gourd grows on a vine. When some magical moment occurs inside the gourd, it turns off its growing mechanism and begins to change from bright green to yellow and, finally, to brown. It will be hard and dry – shake the gourd and the seeds inside will rattle –and then it’s picking time.
A tour of the Luffa Farm begins with a comparison of commercial luffas grown in other countries and imported here; these other plants are chemically-handled, affecting the feel of the luffas to become stiff and abrasive. Deanne’s luffas, however, have a slight amount of stiffness, but are essentially soft.