===== PAGE 1 ===== # Decorative Gourds By Dr. Leigh Whittinghill, Assistant Professor of Urban Agriculture ## Planting • 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.

## Care and Harvest • 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. ===== PAGE 2 ===== ## Cleaning the Gourds • Use a mild soapy water solution and gentle scrubbing to clean of dirt and garden debris. • To kill all fungus and mold use one of the following solutions: - One part bleach to ten parts water. - A weak solution of water and household disinfectant. • Carefully dry the gourds with a soft cloth or towel. ## Curing the Gourds • Place gourds in a dry location with plenty of air circulation. • Be sure that gourds don't touch. They can, however be placed on newspaper. • Inspect and turn gourds frequently. Surface molds can be removed with a second washing of diluted bleach. Discarding any gourds that shrivel, have soft spots, or other signs of rot. • Surface drying takes about 1 week. During this time the surface color will brighten. • The gourd is completely dry when it is light weight, hard to the touch, and you can hear seeds rattling inside. This can take 1 to 6 months depending on the size of the gourd. Your gourds can now be polished, waxed, shellacked, carved or painted. You will be able to enjoy them for years to come. ## References For more information you can consult our sources: • “Harvesting & Curing Gourds,” Clemsen University Cooperative Extension available at www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/hot_topics/2008/09gourds.html • “Preserving Ornamental Gourds,” University of Illinois Extension available at web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=7924 • “Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky,” ID-128 Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

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