When to Seed Gourds
Gourds are a warm season crop that are related to both summer and winter squash. They need warm weather, lots of sun, and room to grow and sprawl. You can direct seed your gourd seeds or start them indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost date. Either way, do not plant your gourds outdoors until all danger of frost has passed. Gourds have longer days to harvest times than most other squash, so take that into consideration when deciding what varieties to grow and when to plant them.
Where to Plant Gourds
Choose a location with full sun and amend the soil with compost ahead of planting. As previously stated, gourds need a lot of room to sprawl or to climb so make sure to take this into account when choosing your location. Gourds can be planted slightly more closely together if being grown on a trellis! Utilizing vertical space saves square footage in the garden.
Growing Gourds
Sow seeds one inch deep and, if direct seeding, six inches apart. Larger seeded varieties may germinate best after scarifying the seeds and soaking them in water overnight ahead of planting. Transplant or thin your seedlings to 12 to 18 inches as they germinate and grow. Allow for five to ten feet of space between rows if growing on the ground. Like other squash, gourds will be fine on the ground, but the fruits will be more nicely shaped if they’re grown on a trellis! No flat spots from sitting on the ground. Gourds are pretty low maintenance once established. While some gourds can be eaten at their young stage, they’re typically grown for other reasons and are needed dried. Always leave your gourds on the vine until the stem has turned brown. Harvesting a gourd too early will cause it to rot.
Harvesting Gourds
Gourds can be left to cure on the vine. When they’ve matured, you'll start to see the vine die off on its own. At this point, they can be left to cure. If you’re having a very wet fall, however, cure them somewhere warm and dry. Ornamental gourds can be stored like winter squash. Bottle gourds should be dried in a warm place with good air circulation for several months, until the pulp has dried and the seeds rattle inside. They then can be hollowed out and used to create bowls, birdhouses, or other vessels. Luffa gourds should be left on the vine until they turn brown, then peeled to reveal the spongy fibers within.
