How to Grow Gourds

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By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (3 Ratings)

Gourds belong to the same family as pumpkins and squash. They're harvested mostly for decorating and not for food. Ornamentals remain the most popular for fall displays. Hard-shelled gourds make good birdhouses. Luffa or sponge squash make sponges. Grow colorful gourds for Halloween and Thanksgiving arrangements. Read on to learn how to grow gourds.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Gourd seeds
Compost
Potting soil
Commercial manure
Garden shovel
Fence
Trellis
Coffee cans
Sand
Fertilizer 10-10-10
Fungicide

Step 1

Plant gourds in a sunny location that has good draining soil. Mix compost, potting soil or a commercial manure into the soil as needed using a garden shovel.
Step 2

Prepare dirt mounds a couple of feet high in a location with well drained soil. Space mounds 4 to 5 feet apart and space rows at least 5 feet apart.
Step 3

Sow four seeds per mound 5 inches apart. Depending on planting zone, wait until the last frost.
Step 4

Water the area and keep the soil moist. Do this during the morning to help prevent mold and mildew.
Step 5

Decrease watering in the fall for several weeks before expected frost. This begins the process of dehydration.
Step 6

Wait until after the first frost to begin the harvest. Leaves wither and turn black. Cut these away with a sharp knife.
Step 7

Move gourds to a garage or building to dry. Some growers leave the gourds outside to dry in the sun.

Tips & Warnings

Place the planting area near a fence because they grow as a vine. Use a garden trellis for the long gourds. Use a strong trellis for larger and heavier hard-shells or grow on the ground. Ornamental gourds grow best if using a trellis because they're smaller.
If a late spring frost develops, cover the plants with boxes, containers or other suitable protective covering.
Place coffee cans or sand underneath each gourd to keep slugs away and prevent blemishes resulting from soil contact.
Use a 10-10-10 fertilizer and place a ring around the mound early in the growing season.
Apply fungicide if downy or powdery mildews appear. Hot and humid weather brings on this disease.
Ornamentals take up to 100 days to mature and hard-shells require up to 130 days.