Cities nationwide get pumped about pumpkin season – so why wouldn’t you try growing your own gourds in your garden? It’s an excellent way to add beauty, style and color to your home. The fall months are prime time to harvest gourd varieties to use for decorations as well as household tools. Pumpkin, squash along with other gourds are a simple alternative for new gardeners and we’ll show you the best way to grow a gourd harvest every year with these secrets and techniques for growing gourds.
Secrets and techniques for Growing Gourds in Your Garden
Gourd Varieties
You will find three different types of gourds that you can plant in your garden: ornamental, hard-shell and luffa.
Ornamental
Ornamental gourds are the small ones that you see utilized in many fall decorations. They’re quite colorful and come in variations of yellow, orange, red, white and green. Ornamental gourds are related to summer squash, pumpkins and some winter squash varieties.
Hard-shell
This kind will attract attention because of their long and different shapes. Hard-shell gourds have been grown in gardens for centuries because of their ability to become a useful tool, such as a cup or bowl, once adequately dried. Immature hard-shell gourds are also edible.
Luffa
These ones look like a cucumber in their sponge-like personal appearance. They might be commonly used as bath sponges after the outer shell is dried and removed to show the inner fiber of the plant.
Planting
For best practice, sow seeds straight into the ground once the final frost arrives in the spring. Plant the seeds in a sunny spot in the garden that has well-drained soil. Plant clusters of four seeds about 1-2 inches deep into the soil to create a group. Each group of seeds need to be about five feet apart for the plant to have enough room to mature. Thin the seeds to 2-3 plants per group as soon as leaves appear.
Other Growing Tips
Gourds can grow well on supports or trellises. Plant them along a fence or arbor to encourage gourds to rise off the ground. Pay attention to pests, like deer which may eat them right off the fence. Try growing hard-shell dipper gourds that can be trained to grow around a pole or broom handle.
Maintenance
They need almost no attention once established in the garden. They will need to be watered more during dry periods of the summer. Keep an eye on them to ensure that each plant has enough room to spread out and grow. Consider thinning those plants that aren’t doing well to give the stronger plants an opportunity to grow.
Insects & Disease
Thanks to their hard-outer shell, most types aren’t bothered by insects and diseases. Smaller ornamental varieties could see more bug damage because of their thinner shells.
Harvesting
Small ornamental ones begin to show their bright colors once fall arrives. You’ll know they are all set to pick when their shell becomes hard to the touch and their stems turn brown. Luffas will be ready to harvest when the stem is dry and the gourd is brown at both ends. Harvest hard-shell gourds last to help them dry out. You’ll want to pick them ahead of the first frost arrives in your area.
Gourds are an awesome alternative for beginner gardeners who would like to grow something hearty that won’t fall to insects or disease. Try growing them along supports to save room in the garden and follow these tips when deciding to grow gourds in your backyard garden.
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