Bottles, Dippers & Bowls – Renee’s Garden
Lagenaria siceraria
Crafter’s Gourds
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Seeds are color coded with USDA food grade stain to distinguish varieties.
Pink seed = Birdhouse Gourds
Undyed seed = Dipper Gourds
Green seed = Corsican Gourds
|
Plant In |
Sun/Shade |
Planting Depth |
Space Seeds |
Days to Germinate |
Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
March – May |
Full sun |
1 inch |
4 inches |
14 – 21 days |
120 – 150 days |
BEST TO START SEEDS INDOORS
Several weeks before last spring frost date, sow seeds 1 inch deep in individual pots of seed starting mix. Keep warm and moist while awaiting germination and provide a strong light source. When seedlings are well-established and night temps. stay above 50°F (10°C), acclimate to outdoor conditions. Transplant at sunny garden edges to ramble, or 12 inches apart along a sturdy fence or trellis to form a lush canopy.
STARTÂ SEEDSÂ OUTDOORS
Start seeds outdoors only in areas with a very long growing season. Plant after night temps. stay above 50°F (10°C). In full sun, sow 2 or 3 seeds 1 inch deep and in groups spaced 12 inches apart and 4 inches from vertical supports. Thin to 1 or 2 strongest seedlings per group. Or plant 6 to 8 seeds in hills 8 feet apart, thinning to 3 or 4 per hill and allowing vines to ramble.
GROWINGÂ NOTES
Gourds need full sun, very rich fertile soil and warm temperatures. For earliest and best yields, hand-pollinate gourds: break off a blooming male flower and dust pollen onto fresh female flowers (the ones with small fruits at the base). Repeat as new flowers appear. Pollinated fruits start growing larger within several days.
HARVEST ANDÂ USE
Gourds are mature when the tendril next to stem has turned brown and rinds are tough. Harvest with several inches of stem. Dry gourds in a well-ventilated place. Once fully cured, (which can take several months) gourds are light for their size and seeds will rattle inside. Molds often develop on the surface, but do no harm. Discard gourds that rot or are soft and wrinkled.
