Birdhouse Gourd
Lagenaria siceraria
Certified Organic
Grow Your Own Tools. Some of the earliest domesticated plants were grown for tool use, just like these bottle gourds. While young gourds can be eaten fresh like summer squash, mature fruit that has completely dried on the vine has a hard shell. These sturdy forms have not only served as storage and dining vessels throughout history, they've also been blank canvases for artists who carve, paint, and embellish them. More recently, people have found that these gourds work beautifully as bird houses—especially for purple martins.
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Growing instructions
Direct sow after frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks earlier. Transplant or direct sow in hills 6' apart, three plants per hill, or in rows 36" apart. Can be trained to grow up supports. Needs as long of a season as possible, so be sure not to harvest until right after the vines have died back. Dry in a well-ventilated, dry location until the gourd sounds hollow when tapped and the seeds rattle inside when shaken.
Product Details
| Days to Maturity | 110 days |
|---|---|
| Days to Germination | 7-30 days |
| Width at Maturity | 60" |
| Height at Maturity | 72" |
| Sun Conditions | Full Sun (8+ Hours Sun) |
| Planting Depth | 1" |
| Row Spacing | 30" |
| Plant Spacing | 66" |
About the artist
Wendi Dibbern's endless fascination with the interplay of human design and the natural world is apparent in her linoleum block print. Here, she actually chiseled a beautifully carved gourd as a home for a pair chickadees, surrounded by every growing stage of the gourd.
The birdhouse gourds are the best! I ordered multiple art packets for my Daughter’s graduation party favors. I ordered different flowers and gourds. I saved one gourd packet for myself. I enjoyed watching them grow and seeing the interesting shapes that they took. In October, when the vines died I cut them and placed them on a wire rack in my greenhouse. I just checked them today (December). They are completely dry. In the Spring, I will sand them, cut a hole and make bird houses! I have 8 in total. I am sure that I would have had more if I gave them a larger area to branch out. The vines were cut back due to limited space. This year, I will be giving them more space to roam. The Art packs were a big hit at the party and the seeds were proven to be great quality!
It’s gourd-geous! I am so pleased with this plant project. The plant grew without fuss. I treated it like a cucumber plant. When the vine died, I took the gourd indoors. I placed it on a paper plate on my fireplace mantel. It grew molds but never softened. It was ready for cutting by Christmas, and I gave it to my husband who wants bluebird houses. Be sure to check what size you should cut the hole based upon what bird you’d like to nest there. A great gift idea!
Just one plant has given us about 20 big gourds.
quick service!
Something new to try.
First I need to proclaim this artist the Greatest Of All Time. I am mystified. I am mesmerized. I cannot wait to get these gourds poppin for my bird friends! Everything about this seed pack brings me joy. Thank you so much- you are amazing.