Vegetable Garden - Tips on Growing Gourds From Seed

Many Garden Plants do not last long after they leave the garden, and why should they? We do not just grow vegetables for their looks, but because they provide nutritious and healthy food. We grow, we harvest and we eat. However Birdhouse Gourds just do not fit this formula. We grow them, we harvest them and then we cure them, carve them and hang them in a tree in hopes that a pair of birds will find the gourds and move into their new home. And when they do, we all take turns until the baby birds fly away. So we do not eat the birdhouse gourds, but they do provide food for the soul.

• Planting Depth: 1/2"-1"
• Germination Soil Temperature.: 70-95°F
• Days to Germ.: 7-14
• Plant Spacing: 2'-3'
• Days to Maturity: 110
• Full Sun and Water Less as it is Drought Tolerant

TO SOW INDOORS

• 3 weeks before last frost

DIRECT SOW

• In late spring, after any danger of frost sow 2-3 seeds every 18", in a row, cover ½" to 1" deep. Soil temperature should be at 70-95º F. Cooler temperatures can cause the seeds to rot. Or if you plant in hills, do so, so they are spaced 3- 4 ' apart with 4-5 seeds planted 1" deep.

USDA Hardiness Zone -First Frost Date- Last Frost Date

• Zone 1 -July 15th -June 15th
• Zone 2 -August 15th- May 15th
• Zone 3 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 4 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 5 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 6 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 7 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 8 -November 15th March 15th
• Zone 9 -December 15th February 15th
• Zone 10 -December 15th January 31st (sometimes earlier)
• Zone 11 -No frost. No frost.

GROWING CONDITIONS:

• pH should be 6.5-7.5
• Growing soil temperature:70-80ºF (21-27º)C.
• Watering should be moderate in the early stages and moderate to heavy after fruits form.

NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS

• N-High, P=High, K=High.

Rotation considerations

• Good Companions: Celery, corn, melon, onion and radish.
• Bad Companions: Potato

Gourds will grow in soils less fertile than squash or melons. In deep bottom-land soils, light applications of compost and minerals are acceptable. In marginal soils of sandy texture, slightly heavier feeding is needed.

GARDEN HINTS:

In northern climates, start seeds in greenhouse 6-10 weeks before transplant time. Start 3 seeds in 6" pots, transplanting outside when weather is warm and plants are sizable. Most larger kinds need 120-180 days to mature in the north. In warmer climates, sow seed directly. Gourds are drought tolerant and need less water than melons, especially in the latter part of the growth cycle.