Grow Your Own Broom

by Pearl Sanborn

Many years ago, I purchased a beautiful natural colored wreath for my bathroom. Because I've enjoyed it so much, recently I decided that I needed to replace it with a new one. You see, after washing the old one so many times, I think it has seen better days ;) The problem? I wasn't able to find the same type of wreath anywhere!

After searching at several craft stores and doing some research online, I finally had success with the mystery material! It was a plant that Ben Franklin first brought to the United States after discovering its beauty in the late 1700's called "Broom Corn." He found a small seed on a whisk broom that his friend had brought him from France, used for dusting his beaver hat. He planted it the next spring, and continued growing it from the harvested seeds.

The humble broom......

In today's society, we have what seems like a never ending choice of cleaning supplies made from every type of material imaginable. There are even brooms that are supposed to be able to pick up dirt magnetically! However, the pioneers before us did not have the luxury of going down to the corner market to spend an hour or two picking out their favorite broom! Actually, they had to plan their cleaning day at least year in advance ;) Why so far ahead? Because they had to grow their brooms!

They grew what was called "Broom Corn" or Sorghum Vulgare - also known as Millet or Guinea Corn. The seeds are small, white, and round in shape. They are grown much the same as grains such as barley or oats. The stalk of the plant resembles a cane in appearance, and the heads are quite large and full of small grain - not actual ears of corn. Not only are these plants used for making brooms, but they are also grown for other uses as well.

The grain is milled into a very fine white flour which is wonderful for making bread, used to feed horses cattle and poultry, and is also said to be a diuretic. The fiber of the plant is used to make brushes, paper, newsprint, and fiberboard.

Although first thought to be cultivated in Italy, broom corn is still widely cultivated in the United States today - so you can plant & grow your own broom! And because broom corn is generally resistant to insect pests and mold, it is quite easy to grow!

Plant seeds approx. 1/2" - 3/4" deep in moist soil. The rows should be 3 ft. apart so the large seed heads have enough room to fully develop, but not so far apart that the stalks have room to bend over. You can expect seedlings to appear in 3-5 days. These plants will grow up to 10 ft., and be mature approx. 105 days from planting.

It is time to harvest when the seed heads are approx. 20-36 inches long. Flowering should be finished by this time, but the heads should still be green in color. This will ensure that the branches will not be to brittle for crafting. Remember to always cut your stalks in dry sunny weather.

Because you are actually growing a type of grain, you will need to thresh the seed (or remove seed) before you make the seed heads into brooms, wreaths, or other items.

To remove seeds; take several stalks in one hand, and hit them carefully against a large flat area. After you see that the seeds are mostly gone, lay tops on a dry flat surface to dry for 2 weeks. Don't forget to collect the seed after threshing! The birds will enjoy it in their feeders!

Here is a good picture of what broom corn should look like when ready to work into your projects:
http://www.everlastingsflorals.com/BroomCorn.htm

A wonderful picture of some folks harvesting broom corn many years ago:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~okgarvin/broomcorn.html

An article on making your own broom:
http://www.dnaco.net/~arundel/Brooms_Brushes.htm 

A huge list of resources for the person who wants to start a broom business - or share brooms in living history settings: http://www.story lovers.com/listsbroommaking.html

Broom how-tos from 1936: http://www.geocities.com/txtarrant/colleyville/broms.html

Broom making still in progress today! http://www.hockadaybrooms.com/

Rich in warm autumn colors including brown, mahogany, and amber, I know you'll find yourself, as I have, in love with this 7-10 ft tall ornamental beauty. You'll want to be sure to reserve a special place for broom corn in your cottage garden this year.
 

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Pearl Sanborn © Copyright - Copied with permission
http://www.LittleCountryVillage.com
Lots of free articles like this one on topics such as; Homesteading, Cottage Gardening, and Frugal Living

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