Growing Our Own Loofa Sponges: From Seed to Sustainable Scrub on Our Michigan Homestead

Hello again, homestead friends! Here on our 9-acre wooded property in White Cloud, Michigan, we’re always looking for ways to grow or make more of what we use every day. One of our most exciting experiments this past year was growing loofa (also spelled luffa) sponges—yes, those natural, scrubby sponges you see in eco-friendly stores are actually dried gourds from a vigorous vine! What started as a small trial run with just two plants has us dreaming big for 2026. If you’ve ever wanted to ditch plastic shower poofs and synthetic dish sponges for something homegrown, biodegradable, and truly sustainable, read on. We’ll share our first-year lessons, our plans for a full-blown loofa tunnel, and tips so you can grow your own—no matter where you garden.

Our First Loofa Adventure: Two Plants, Twenty Sponges

This past spring, we decided to test the waters (pun intended) with loofa gourds. We started seeds indoors in early March under grow lights, then transplanted the seedlings outside once the danger of frost passed in late May. To our delight, those two vines took off! They climbed our makeshift trellis, flowered profusely, and produced around twenty mature gourds by fall. Harvesting and processing was a family affair. In September, we picked the gourds once the skins turned yellow-brown and felt light. We let them dry fully on racks in our barn through October and November. By December, they were ready for the fun part: peeling off the crisp outer skin, shaking out the seeds (hundreds per gourd!), and giving the fibrous interior a good rinse and soak to remove any remaining sap. The result? Beautiful, all-natural sponges that are gentle yet effective for showering, washing dishes, or even light household scrubbing.We’ve completely switched to our homegrown loofas at home—no more plastic mesh poofs or cellulose sponges heading to the landfill. They last for months, compost beautifully when worn out, and feel so satisfying knowing we grew them ourselves.

Scaling Up: Building a Loofa Tunnel for 2026

After that successful trial, we’re going all-in this coming season. Our big project is creating two long raised beds flanked by arched cattle panels to form a shaded loofa tunnel—perfect for the kids to play under and for us to walk through while harvesting. We’re planning space for about twenty healthy plants, which should yield hundreds of sponges if the weather cooperates.

Soil Prep: Powered by Our Homestead Cycle

We’re firm believers in closing the loop on our small farm. The raised beds will be filled with:

• Rich leaf compost from last year’s piles

• Well-aged manure from our feeder pigs and chickens

• Mealworm frass from our thriving farm (that nutrient-packed “waste” is loaded with balanced N-P-K and chitin that naturally boosts plant defenses against pests)

We’ll work all these amendments deep into the soil this winter and early spring. No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides here—just nature’s best.Timeline for Michigan’s Short SeasonMichigan gardeners know frost can bookend our summers, so timing is everything:

• Early to mid-March: Start seeds indoors in soil blocks or pots under lights. Loofa seeds need warmth (75-85°F) to germinate reliably.

• Late May to early June: Harden off and transplant seedlings once soil temps stay above 60°F and night lows are consistently above 50°F.

• June–August: Watch the magic happen! The vines will rocket up the cattle panel arches, producing bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators. We’ll hand-pollinate if needed to ensure good fruit set.

• September: Harvest mature gourds as they lighten and skins toughen.

• October–November: Dry on racks in a warm, airy spot.

• December: Peel, clean, and process sponges. Save the best seeds for next year; sell or share the rest.

Tips for Growing Your Own Loofa SpongesReady to try this rewarding crop? Here’s what we’ve learned so far:

1. Give them support: Loofa vines grow 15-30 feet long. Strong trellises, arches, or fences are a must—cattle panels are inexpensive and sturdy.

2. Full sun and heat: They love hot summers. If your season is short like ours, black plastic mulch helps warm the soil.

3. Water consistently: Deep, regular watering prevents bitter fruit and encourages vigorous growth.

4. Pollination matters: Bees adore the flowers, but in low-bee years, gently brush male flowers onto female ones (the ones with tiny gourds at the base).

5. Patience when drying: Don’t rush peeling. Fully dry gourds rattle with seeds and peel easily.

6. Seed saving: One gourd can give you 200-500 viable seeds—plenty to share or expand your patch.

From Garden to Shop: Sharing the Harvest

Any sponges beyond what our family needs will be available in our Squarespace store alongside our mealworms, handmade plush chickens, crafts, and other homestead goodies. Each sponge is 100% natural, grown with regenerative methods, and packaged plastic-free. Buying one supports a small Michigan family working toward greater self-sufficiency—and helps us fund more projects like mushroom logs and pastured pigs.We can’t wait to walk through our loofa tunnel this summer, surrounded by hanging gourds and buzzing pollinators. Stay tuned for updates (and plenty of photos) as the season progresses!Have you ever grown or used real loofa sponges? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your tips or questions. Here’s to another year of growing what we use and using what we grow.

Happy gardening,
The 9 Pines Homestead Family

The Buzz on Our Mealworm Farm: Sustainable Protein from Our Michigan Homestead

Hello, friends! We're the folks behind our little slice of paradise in White Cloud, Michigan—a 9-acre wooded homestead where we nurture everything from egg-laying chickens and feeder pigs to inoculated mushroom logs, vibrant gardens, and homemade products.

Our family is all about living close to the land, using natural methods to grow and create. We craft handmade plush chickens and other fun items, and we even grow our own loofa sponges organically without any commercial or chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Today, we're excited to dive into one of our favorite projects: our mealworm farm.

What started as a simple way to boost our chickens' diet has blossomed into a thriving part of our small business. If you're thinking about starting your own mealworm farm—whether for your backyard flock, pet reptiles, fishing trips, or wild bird feeders—we've got tips, insights, and a peek into how we do it sustainably.

Why Mealworms? Our journey with mealworms began out of necessity and curiosity. With a flock of happy, free-ranging chickens, we wanted to provide them with a nutrient-packed treat that was better than store-bought options. Mealworms are loaded with protein, fats, and essential amino acids, making them an ideal treat for overall bird health, especially during times of stress like when they are molting. Plus, they're a hit with reptiles like bearded dragons, or as fishing bait for panfish, or even scattered in bird feeders to attract bluebirds.

As a family, we value sustainability, community, and quality. Everything we do on our homestead reflects that— from sourcing local wheat bran for our mealworms' bedding to using natural amendments in our gardens. We're not just raising bugs; we're building a cycle of life that supports our animals, enriches our soil, and now, shares high-quality products with you through our Shop. Our mealworms are raised with care, free from chemicals, and harvested at peak freshness. Buying from us means supporting a small, family-run operation that's passionate about ethical farming and eco-friendly practices.

If you are inspired to set up your own mealworm farm, it’s easier than you might think!

Here's how we manage ours, with practical advice to get you going. Remember, mealworms (the larval stage of darkling beetles) thrive in a controlled environment and the full life cycle—from egg to beetle—takes about 4-6 months under ideal conditions.

1. Gather Your Supplies

• Housing: We use affordable ten-drawer plastic craft carts (like those from a big-box store). Each drawer separates the four life stages. Start with 4-6 drawers if you're just beginning with 500 to 1,000 mealworms.

• Bedding/Substrate: Opt for wheat bran—it's nutritious and affordable. We source ours locally to support Michigan farmers. You'll need about 1-2 inches per drawer. Avoid oats or other grains as these tend to mold easily and are harder to sift through. Your bedding will also need to go through a heat treatment or a long freeze treatment to guard against grain mites.

• Moisture Source: Water gel crystals (available at pet stores or online) work wonders without causing dampness issues. We use these and also add fresh greens from our garden, like carrot tops or lettuce, for extra hydration and nutrition.

• Environment Control: A humidifier keeps humidity around 50-70%, and in Michigan's chilly winters, we use a mini-split heater to maintain 70-80°F in our dedicated "mealworm room." A simple thermometer and hygrometer are must-haves.

• IMPORTANT NOTE: Mealworm sheddings and frass can cause an allergic respiratory reaction. We use full face respirators when sifting or separating each drawer and during prolonged times in the mealworm room.

2. Understanding the Life Cycle: Mealworms go through four stages: egg, larva (mealworm), pupa, and adult beetle. We actively manage this to keep things efficient.

• Beetles and Eggs: Darkling beetles love the dark! Place them in a drawer with fresh wheat bran. They lay hundreds of eggs over 1-2 weeks at the bottom of the drawer. We swap the beetles to a new drawer every two weeks, leaving the old one with the old wheat bran to hatch eggs into tiny mealworms (about 1-2 weeks later). Beetles don’t eat the substrate/wheat bran as much as they did during their larva stage. They like more of the fresh veggies and do need moisture or they could start eating their own eggs.

• Growing Mealworms: Once hatched, the babies munch on the bran. When they've eaten most of it (every 2-4 weeks), we sift them out using a fine mesh screen. This separates the mealworms from the frass (manure) and shed skins.

• Pupae and Harvest: Set aside 10-20% of mature mealworms to pupate (they curl up and turn white). These become your next beetles. Harvest the rest when they're 1/2 to 1 inch long—perfect size for treats. Note: Pupae should be in a single, spaced-out layer or they could suffocate.

Pro Advice: Sifting is key! Do it weekly to remove frass, which prevents mold and keeps your colony healthy. Use gloves if you're squeamish, but honestly, it's fascinating for kids and adults alike. Again, use full face respirators to protect your eyes, nose, and mouth.

3. Daily Care and Troubleshooting

• Feeding and Moisture: Supplement bran with veggie scraps 1-2 times a week. Water crystals provide safe hydration—avoid open water to prevent drowning or bacteria.

• Herd Management: Like tending any livestock, check daily for signs of stress (e.g., cannibalism from overcrowding). We "herd" by rotating drawers and culling if needed.

• Common Issues: Too dry? Add more crystals or greens. Too humid? Increase ventilation. In cold climates like ours, consistent warmth is crucial—mealworms slow down below 60°F.

Bonus Perk: Frass Magic! That sifted frass isn't waste—it's gold! Packed with balanced nutrients and chitin from shed skins, it boosts plant defenses against pests naturally. We mix it into our garden soil for our loofas and veggies. Try it in your pots or beds for healthier plants without chemicals.

Our Commitment to Quality and Community

At the heart of our mealworm farm is our family's dedication to doing things right. We're a homeschooling crew who believes in teaching our kids responsibility through hands-on work. No shortcuts here—our mealworms are raised humanely, with natural inputs, ensuring they're safe and nutritious for your pets or projects. By selling them as chicken treats, reptile food, bait, or bird feed, we're extending that homestead spirit to you. Plus, every purchase helps us expand our offerings, like our handmade crafts and mushroom logs. Ready to try our premium mealworms or explore more? Head over to our Shop page to learn more about our other homestead goodies. We'd love to hear from you—drop a comment below if you're starting your own farm, or share your tips! Feel free to ask questions! Thanks for joining us on this buggy adventure.

Until next time, keep it natural!

Warmly,
The 9 Pines Homestead Family