How to Plant Seeds for a Gourd Bird House
Birdhouse gourds are thick-skinned, long-necked gourds that, as their name implies, make ideal birdhouses. It takes several months for the gourds to go from seed to birdhouse, but the finished product is well worth the time and effort. Small songbirds like bluebirds, nuthatches and wrens are all willing residents. Plant birdhouse gourd seeds as soon as freezing weather has passed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Soak the birdhouse gourd seeds in a bowl of warm water overnight. This will help the seeds to germinate earlier. Choose a sunny spot to plant the birdhouse gourd seeds. Allow plenty of space for the plant's vines, which can grow to lengths of 25 feet or more.
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Dig a hole about one foot deep, and fill the hole halfway with well-rotted manure or compost. Fill the remainder of the hole with soil, and then create a mound of soil on top.
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Plant four to six birdhouse gourd seeds in the mound. Water the mound with a hose, using a spray nozzle on a gentle setting so the seeds won't be washed away. The seedlings will emerge in less than a week. When the seedlings have three or four pairs of leaves, choose the healthiest two plants, and pull out the rest.
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Keep the seedlings moist during the first couple of weeks. Gourds thrive on neglect once they're established. Water them occasionally, especially during hot, dry weather.
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Harvest the birdhouses gourds in autumn, after the vines have died. Put them in a well-ventilated place to dry until spring.
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