Mild summer is not conducive to the growth of the luffa (菜瓜)

This mild summer is not conducive to the growth of the tropical luffa (菜瓜 or 絲瓜), which requires 150-200 warm to hot days to grow and mature, which is a luxury the western Pennsylvania weather cannot afford.  Our success is attributed to our planting of the seeds indoor in late February/early March and the loving tender care when they were young and vulnerable.

We shouldn’t complain as we have had enough to share with some friends.  The yield would be much higher had August been as hot as in July.  We gardeners resign to the fact that we’re at the mercy of the All Mighty.