Birdhouse Gourds Maturing (Hardening, Curing) vs Rotting

[Gehenna71]

I've ordered some seeds yesterday. Hope they'll do fine here. It gets, let's say, very wet in Belgium.

[OrganicGarden123]

@Gehenna71 From the gourds that grow, save seeds to grow (and share) again in your area. Presumably any batch of seeds may have some that are going to do better in wetter areas, and if you keep saving the seeds each year from those that grow successfully you should do well.

[Gehenna71]

@OrganicGarden123 Good idea! I'll do it that way :) Thanks for the tip.

[FreidasGarden]

Your gourds look so good! I'm growing Aladdin Gourds and Birdhouse this year for the first time. I was looking to see how tall they get.

[OrganicGarden123]

@FreidasGarden Awesome! That's great that you are trying gourds. I started growing a little bag of seeds on a whim, and have gotten LOTS of fun and interest out of that little 99 cents bag! Good luck!

[1Nanalo]

werent gourds edible

[OrganicGarden123]

@1Nanalo Yes, some gourds (like pumpkins) are definitely edible. Others (like these) have a really hard shell and are mainly used for ornamental uses, making birdhouses/bowls/ladles/etc. But perhaps it is possible to eat the pulp/seeds, but I have never tried.

[mrswhitelily2000]

THank you for sharing, very well explained, I love you channel and all your advice. is wonderful find people will share knowlodges. :(

[Robsixtfour]

I was told by someone that grows and drys them to let them stay on the vine until they exposed to a frost. Then harvest them.

[OrganicGarden123]

@Robsixtfour Yes, I generally try to let gourds stay on the vine as long as possible, e.g. until the vines have turned brown and withered, maybe even until frost has come, etc.

But sometimes they fall off or I may be clearing out the area of tomatoes and accidentally pull out a vine of gourds that I had not seen. Some of them will get soft and ~useless, while others will harden nicely. Happy gardening!

[Verisetti]

Glad to find your videos I have just grown last year and im trying to get up nerve to finish making the house. What size can you use some are small not tiny but others larger?

[OrganicGarden123]

@Verisetti There are websites showing tables of data on which types of birds like what size gourds to nest in, how big to make the entrance holes for different birds, how high to hang them. I'm just looking into that myself! If you do a video on what you end up doing/trying, please post a link or post it as a video response to this or somehow let me know as I would be happy to learn along with you. Happy gardening!

[NintyFan56]

You can actually eat these gourds; many countries have a number of cuisines with the gourd. feel like trying some recipies when i grow some in the summer.

[kayleeShoe]

Wow! I'm so very excited that I just found your channel! I'm definitely subscribing. Your gourds are absolutely beautiful, and you have plenty of great tips I will be using in my own garden. I only grow things I can use too haha. I don't see the point in growing something that doesn't have any uses in my life. Anyways, I love your videos, and happy gardening!

[OrganicGarden123]

@kayleeShoe Thanks for your kind and upbeat comments. Happy gardening!

[destroyahdes]

That was fun. I love gouds! I would definitely just use the seeds of the ones that made it because they have good genes. You don't want to pass on defects. You can paint them after they are washed too. That green one that still has to dry would make a nice canteen. I wouldn't say they're maturing as they are now drying out and dying. The maturing happened on the vine while they develope seeds. I'm PM you a link to a very good site that I like. Might be the same one you used.

[OrganicGarden123]

@destroyahdes Yes, thanks for your comments! Happy gardening!