Finger Lakes destination

Growing Gourds

We start the seeds indoors in pots in late April.	They need lights to grow well. We harden them off throughout May.
We put them out around Memorial Day, under row-cover bonnets, for extra warmth and protection from cucumber beetles. We give them plenty of space!	The vines take off like crazy... you can almost watch them grow.
Tendrils are amazingly strong, and we use them to encourage the vines upwards.	Unlike other cucurbits, gourd blossoms bloom at night. We hand-pollinate sometimes. This is a female blossom, pollinated.
Each female blossom has a mini version of the fruit that will grow. These tiny fuzzy baby gourds are called "pepos".	"Legendary" bottle gourds, lurking beneath the luscious leaf canopy.
Mid August, all is green. The small gourd pictured is a "Sub-mini", never gets any bigger than that.	The weight of the ball pulls these dipper gourds straight. When they grow on the ground, they are curly.
In September the vines start to die away. We leave the gourds on the vine as long as there is any life in the plant.	As the water leaves the gourd, the skin starts to mold. Inexperienced gourd growers sometimes panic at this stage. Don't worry! If it had plenty of time to mature, it won't rot. The mold will leave beautiful marks on the surface of the gourd.
Gourds can stay out all winter long, they'll dry just fine. Mice might get into a few of the weaker ones. Don't bring them in your house at this stage!	Banana gourds, all dried and ready to be washed!
You can plant the seeds, but if they grew near different gourds, the offspring will be hybrids.

We grow many varieties of gourds at Gourdlandia, with interesting names: Mini Chinese Bottle, Sennari, Tobacco Box, Four Inch Round, Extra Long-Handled Dipper, 100 Plus, etc. We also buy some from Amish gourd farmers in southern Pennsylvania.

The photo captions here contain

growing tips. You can get more information from the American Gourd Society.

More information on growing and crafting gourds can be found on Gourdlandia's YouTube channel.

You can find a great selection of terrific, inexpensive gourd seeds at any of the following locations:

Amy Lewis has African Wine Kettle seeds available on her Etsy site.
Benjamin's Landing
Quarry Farm Gourds via R. H. Shumway

illustrated vole using magnifying glass to see gourd leaf

Taking Care Of Little Baby Gourd Seedlings

Your gourd seeds have pushed through the soil—now the real work begins! To grow "brawny, not scrawny" gourds, you’ll need to give them light, food, and fresh air. This guide covers why window light isn't enough, how to use grow lights to prevent leggy stems, and the best way to get deep green leaves. Plus, learn the "hardening off" process to prepare your seedlings for wind and sun before they make their big move to the garden.

illustrated vole planting a gourd seed in a hole in the ground

Get Those Seeds Sprouting! All About Germination

Unlock the potential of your gourd seeds with the art of scarification! Since gourds no longer have mastodons to help them sprout, they need a little assist from you. Learn how to mimic nature by sanding and soaking your seeds to jumpstart growth. This guide walks you through mechanical scarification, hydrogen peroxide baths, and the "pointy-end-up" planting trick. Give your "viney darlings" a head start and ensure a successful harvest with these expert germination tips.

Where to Plant Your Baby Gourd Plants

Ready to give your gourds the best start? Whether you're transplanting indoor seedlings or direct-seeding, your "viney darlings" need the right home to thrive. From giving them enough space to rival a king-size bed to finding that perfect full-sun spot, this guide covers the essentials of gourd placement. Learn why rich soil and sturdy fences are a must, the magic of growing on a trellis, and why rotating your crop is the secret to a healthy, pathogen-free garden this season.

Here are some articles in which you can read all about how we grow gourds....

Coming Soon: Vivalina Grows A Gourd!

Finger Lakes destination

Growing Gourds

We start the seeds indoors in pots in late April.

They need lights to grow well. We harden them off throughout May.

We put them out around Memorial Day, under row-cover bonnets, for extra warmth and protection from cucumber beetles. We give them plenty of space!

The vines take off like crazy... you can almost watch them grow.

Tendrils are amazingly strong, and we use them to encourage the vines upwards.

Unlike other cucurbits, gourd blossoms bloom at night. We hand-pollinate sometimes. This is a female blossom, pollinated.

Each female blossom has a mini version of the fruit that will grow. These tiny fuzzy baby gourds are called "pepos".

"Legendary" bottle gourds, lurking beneath the luscious leaf canopy.

Mid August, all is green. The small gourd pictured is a "Sub-mini", never gets any bigger than that.

The weight of the ball pulls these dipper gourds straight. When they grow on the ground, they are curly.

In September the vines start to die away. We leave the gourds on the vine as long as there is any life in the plant.

As the water leaves the gourd, the skin starts to mold. Inexperienced gourd growers sometimes panic at this stage. Don't worry! If it had plenty of time to mature, it won't rot. The mold will leave beautiful marks on the surface of the gourd.

Gourds can stay out all winter long, they'll dry just fine. Mice might get into a few of the weaker ones. Don't bring them in your house at this stage!

Banana gourds, all dried and ready to be washed!

You can plant the seeds, but if they grew near different gourds, the offspring will be hybrids.

Taking Care Of Little Baby Gourd Seedlings

Get Those Seeds Sprouting! All About Germination

Where to Plant Your Baby Gourd Plants

Spread the love of gourds!

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