Make sure your gourds are placed in an area where they will get 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.

Mound soil into hills about 4 inches high.

Hills should be spaced 4-6 feet apart depending on the growth habit of the gourds.

Plant seeds at a depth of 1/2 to 1 inches deep.

Thin to 1-3 plants per hill once seeds have germinated.

Consult the back of the seed packet for more information specific to your gourd variety.

Water consistently, especially once fruit begin forming. About 1 inch per week (including rain) will be enough.

Weed carefully, gourds have shallow roots.

Compost or a balanced fertilizer (e.g. 10-10-10) can be added to the soil around the plant when flowers start to bloom.

Gourds are ready to harvest 75-180 days after planting and should have developed their full color and become hard.

To harvest, cut gourds from the vine 1 to 2 inches above the fruit.

Discard any bruised or damaged gourds.