Four summers ago I tried to grow luffa gourds on our satellite dish. The vine grew really fast, and really well. It even produced some lovely yellow flowers. However, our growing season is much shorter than what is needed for the vine to produce luffa gourds. I was so bummed, I just couldn’t wait to have luffas for the bath and for giving as unique gifts to friends and family. Did you know that the luffa sponge you use in the shower is actually from a plant? I didn’t!

Anyway, I am tempted to try luffas again, but with the short season it’s probably not the best idea. I am also thinking of scarlet runner beans on the dish instead. Both plants are annuals, so when we are able to figure out the best thing to do with the satellite dish, it won’t be a problem to take it down. If the dish were to be a permanent fixture I would plant kiwi on it, but I would be so sad to have to remove a kiwi plant.

I haven’t grown beans before, and am not sure what they would taste like, but I hear that the scarlet runner beans are not only tasty, but also very pretty with gorgeous flowers. Here is a photo, which makes me think we are going to give them a try this year after all.

I think that having a plant grow on the satellite dish is the perfect way to hide it… hopefully our neighbors (who have all said we should take it down), will also find our solution to be a pleasing one. Not that we care that much what they think actually. Wink. I will have to make sure I find a bunch of bean recipes over the summer so we will know what to do with the bounty!