Crafting with Gourds

Gourds are a fun plant to have in your garden. Children, as well as adults, delight in watching the various shapes emerge as the gourds grow and mature. When dry, they can provide you with endless crafting possibilities.

Gourds grow similar to squash, with the vines weaving in and around other plants on the ground, or on a trellis or other similar support. To get a good harvest, it is very important to water regularly, but be careful not to over-water. After awhile, in the fall, you will notice that the vine will begin to die. When the stem of the gourd withers and dries out, it is then ready to harvest.

Having harvested your gourds, hang them in a warm, dry place, out of direct sunlight. During the drying process, if the gourd develops mold, you can wipe it off, but it is not necessary. The mold will help add texture and interest to the finished product.

Sometime during the next three to nine months, the gourds will totally dry out. You will know they are completely dry when, upon being shaken; you are able to hear the seeds rattle inside.

The next step is to clean the gourds. Wrap them in old wet towels, or paper towels, and set aside. After two days, unwrap the gourds. You will notice that the outer skin feels slimy. Use steel wool to scrub off this outer skin and also any mold. Let them dry again. Now the gourds are ready for crafting!

What should you make? How about a…

• Birdhouse: Cut a hole for the entrance with a craft knife and shake out all the seeds.** Cut out a smaller hole under the entrance for a perch. To hang, drill a small hole for a wire. Drill too big of a hole, and the birdhouse could break. Then you will have a
• Planter: Cut off the top of the gourd and scrape the inside clean. Place the plant in a plastic pot before placing it in the gourd.
• Bowl: Similar to the planter, but you can opt to keep the top you cut off for a lid.
• Autumn Sculpture: Is the gourd in a funny shape? How about painting it to go in your autumn displays?
• Bird feeder: Similar to the birdhouse, but cut a wider access hole or three or four access holes so more birds can eat at one time. Don’t forget the perches!

For all these projects, I would like to recommend a craft knife for any cuts you make in the gourd. Also, if you use acrylic paints for your project, don’t forget the spray sealer. If the gourd is to be kept out of the elements, you might want to consider decoupage, instead of painting. For instance, I found a wonderful wrapping paper that just couldn’t part with, so I covered a birdhouse with it.

When decorating gourds, pretty much anything goes. Just let your imagination free and see what you can create!

**Just an added note: When you shake out the seeds, be sure to save them for the next time you want to plant gourds!

If you do not see the table at the left, please click here.