Did you know it is really easy to grow your own gourd birdhouse? A gourd vine gives gourds of all shapes and sizes, which is part of the fun. Gourd vine takes quite a bit of space so make sure you have the space to grow them. Harvest takes place in fall. Once harvested, gourds need to be left to dry, a process that takes a few months. To know when they are ready, shake the gourd. If you can hear seeds rattling, they are ready to start their transformation from gourd to gourd birdhouse!
Here is a quick run down on how to grow a gourd birdhouse:
Sow from five to ten seeds in hill (spaced around the hole) in a hole about a foot deep and two feet wide. Fill the bottom of the hole a third of the way with compost, cover with a few inches of dirt, space the seeds around and cover. Make sure the spot where you sow is receiving plenty of sunshine and rain. Once the plants have started to give a few leaves, thin down and keep the best two or three plants. If you want to plant a few hills, space them five to ten feet apart, gourd vines take quite a bit of space.
Hardshell gourds can take up to 130 days to mature. If you live in an area with frequent frost in fall, make sure to cover your plants otherwise the seedlings will die. The gourd themselves are not sensitive to frost. Harvest your gourds in fall after the frost.
Sow from five to ten seeds in hill (spaced around the hole) in a hole about a foot deep and two feet wide. Fill the bottom of the hole a third of the way with compost, cover with a few inches of dirt, space the seeds around and cover. Make sure the spot where you sow is receiving plenty of sunshine and rain. Once the plants have started to give a few leaves, thin down and keep the best two or three plants. If you want to plant a few hills, space them five to ten feet apart, gourd vines take quite a bit of space.
Hardshell gourds can take up to 130 days to mature. If you live in an area with frequent frost in fall, make sure to cover your plants otherwise the seedlings will die. The gourd themselves are not sensitive to frost. Harvest your gourds in fall after the frost.