The following questions have been asked by several visitors to my website. I may eventually add photographs and additional questions to this list. For additional information about growing & crafting gourds, please click here. For information about making gourd birdhouses, please click here.

1. Where can I purchase specific varieties of gourd seeds?

2. When should I plant my gourds?

3. Should I plant my gourd seeds in peat pots & then transplant or should I plant the seeds directly into the ground?

4. What is meant by "gourd hills"?

5. How far apart should gourds be planted?

6. What are some of the best fertilizers for gourds?

7. When should I cut my gourds from the vine?

8. How do I dry gourds?

9. Why are my gourds covered in mildow?

10. How do I clean my gourds?

11. Should I use anything to seal the artwork on my gourds?

12. Where can I find patterns for gourd art?

13. Where can I find more information about gourds?

If you're looking for specific varieties of gourds, you might try the following seed suppliers:

Stoke Seeds

Rocky Ford Seeds
Kern Ackerman 178 Losee St. Cygnet, OH 43413 Phone: 1-419-655-2152.

Dorothy Wheeler, 8285 Johnstown-Utica Rd. Johnstown, OH 43031 Phone: 1-740-967-5320

2. When should I plant my gourds?

When all danger of frost is over. In Kentucky this is in early May.

3. Should I plant my gourd seeds in peat pots & then transplant or should I plant the seeds directly into the ground?

What I've found that works best for me is to plant the larger varieties of seeds (bushel gourds, African Wine Kettles) in 3" peat pots about 2 to 3 weeks before my usual gardening time begins in order to give these larger varieties a head start. I've read that its best not to start your seeds too early because this can increase the chances that your seedlings will suffer transplant shock. Most other hardshell gourds & ornamentals do fine when they're planted directly into the ground. If you live farther south than Kentucky it may not be necessary for you to give your larger gourds a head start.

4. What is meant by planting gourds in "hills"?

A "hill" is when 3 or 4 seeds are planted in a small mound of dirt. Pumpkins, Squash, & Cucumbers are also frequently planted in hills. When I first began growing gourds, I planted them in hills. However, I think that it may be better to instead dig out a hole for your seeds in order to allow them access to more moisture that is deeper in the ground. Hills tend to dry out more & your gourds may suffer if you experience an especially dry summer. However, out of habit, I still tend to refer to them as "hills" of gourds.

5. How far apart should gourds be planted?

As a general rule, you should probably allow from 5 to 10 feet between your 'hills' of gourds. Each year I plant my gourds at varying distances apart. Last year I planted them 10 feet apart in one direction (to allow room for the tractor to disc between rows), but only 3 feet apart in the other direction & used the tiller between the rows in that direction. The distance between your rows will be a compromise between planting them far enough apart to allow them to flourish, but not too far apart because weeds will be more of a problem.

6. What are some of the best fertilizers for gourds?

This is just a matter of personal preference. Some gardeners will prefer to use organic fertilizers (such as compost, cow manure, or fish scraps), while others prefer packaged fertilizers. 10-10-10 works well with gourds; as does liquid fertilizers such as Miracle Grow. Last summer in addition to 10-10-10, I also used potash (seems to promote healthy vines), and K-Mart Brand liquid fertilizer, K-Gro.

7. When should I cut my gourds from the vine?

This is the most important lesson in growing gourds. You should not cut your gourds from their vines until the vines have died on their own, or until you are expecting a killing frost. Gourds need a long growing season and if they are cut from their vines too early they will rot. Even if your gourds have quit growing they should be left on the vines in order to allow their shells to grow thicker and therefore they'll be more likely to dry properly. Any gourd that is not mature when cut from the vine will rot.

8. How do I dry gourds?

Basically gourds will dry regardless of what you do with them. The most important thing to remember is to not set them directly on the ground in an especially damp area. Gourds will dry outdoors but it is best to set them up on wood or rocks to get them up off the damp ground. However, because of the extreme stresses of freezing and thawing when left outdoors, any thin shelled gourds will be less likely to survive the winter but all thicker shelled gourds will survive the winter outdoors just fine. My favorite place to dry gourds is to set them up on pieces of wood in the basement. I think that gourds dried in the basement have the very best surface for my craft purposes. Other good places to dry gourds are in the barn, garage or attic. Just remember to not set them directly on a damp surface; and don't place them too close together in order to allow good air circulation around them.  Despite your best efforts, you will most likely lose some gourds which were immature when cut from the vines. You should check them often and discard any gourd that becomes soft. Some people have heard that they are supposed to drill holes in gourds in order for them to dry but this is not necessary. You may harm your gourds because drilling holes in their shells will allow bacteria to enter and cause them to rot.

9. Why are my gourds covered in mildew?

This is just a normal part of the drying process for gourds. It does not mean that your gourds are rotting. You may just leave the mildew on the gourd and when it is dry the mildew will eventually go away. Or you may wash the mildew away in a mild solution of bleach water each time that it forms.

10. How do I clean my gourds?

There are two main methods to clean gourds: green scraping and scrubbing. Green scraping is a risky method because it allows the water to escape from the gourd at a much more rapid pace and you will run a risk of losing all gourds which were not completly mature. This method is not recommended unless you have lots of gourds to spare becuase you will most certainly lose more gourds by green scraping them. To green scrape a gourd, you simply take a dull knife & scrape away the outer skin of a green gourd. Green scraped gourds have a very nice even-colored surface & are very nice for woodburning & color pencils.

The other method is to scrub the outer surface of a gourd away after it has completely dried. You should first soak your gourds in a warm solution of bleach water for a few minutes. Then take a wire mesh scrubber (like you might scrub a skillet with) to remove the gourds outer skin. This is the recommended method for cleaning gourds. You will lose far less gourds this way than you will by green scraping them. The surface of a scrubbed gourd may also be very even-colored, but others may have dark patterns from mildew on their surface. Some people like to accentuate any dark patterns in their crafts.

11. Should I use anything to seal the artwork on my gourds?

If you use color pencils on your gourds you should certainly use a sealant. In the past I have used clear acrylic spray, and spray polyurethane. Polyurethane provides more protection to the drawing, but will yellow with age. Clear acrylic spray will remain clear but provides less protection. I have recently purchased some Deft, Triple Thick Clear Acrylic Spray, and automotive lacquer to experiment with. These are just suggestions and you should also try various products to learn which products best suit your needs. I don't use acrylic paints but I believe that acrylics should also be sealed with acrylic spray or similar product.

12. Where can I find patterns for gourd art?

Festive Collectibles by Deborha Kerr is a very popular pattern book for gourd art. It is published by Susan Scheewe Publications, Inc., 13435 NE Whitaker Way, Portland, Oregon 97230. Phone (503) 254-9100.

Gourds for All Seasons by Sue Hollon is also a very nice book. It is published by Sharon & Gayle Publications, Inc., 601 Washington Avenue, Newport, KY 41071. Phone (606) 655-4700.

You may be able to find many more gourd pattern books by contacting these two publishers.

13. Where can I find more information about gourds?

Click here to view a list of all members of the Golden Gourd Web Ring.

Click here to view some links to other gourd web sites.

The Gourd Artists Guild is the most comprehensive gourd web site & has lots of information and helpful links.

It is strongly recommended that you consider joining the American Gourd Society. Membership is currently $15.00 a year & members receive quarterly newsletters. The address is American Gourd Society, 317 Maple Court, Kokomo, IN 46902-3633.