creative things to do with gourds

5 Things to Do with… Gourds

HOUSE A BIRD. Photo: gonzalesmastergardeners.org. It's fun and easy to make a birdhouse from a hollowed-out gourd. ...
HANG A GARLAND. Photo: asoftplace.net. ...
MAKE A LANTERN. Photo: makezine.com. ...
CARVE A JACK-O'-LANTERN. Photo: southernliving.com. ...
CRAFT A CANTEEN. Photo: stormdrane.blogspot.com.

What can I do with old decorative gourds?

Fun craft ideas with pumpkins and gourds

Cut a hole in the side of a gourd, clean out the interior, and fill in the bottom with birdseed. Hang it outside for an instant birdfeeder. Soak the seeds from inside a gourd in water. After they've softened, thread them with a needle to make unique jewelry.

What can you do with birdhouse gourds?

The birdhouse gourd is the white-flowering gourd species that produce the hard-shelled fruit mainly used for crafts. The yellow-flowering gourds (Cucurbit spp.) are the thin-skinned and used as colorful decorations. You can purchase birdhouse gourd seeds from local nurseries or seed catalogs.

Can gourds be eaten?

So, can I eat gourds or not? Technically, yes, but there are some inherent difficulties in eating gourds. Mainly, they're hard to cook, hard to eat, and... well, for the most part, you probably just don't want to eat them. ... If you gourds were good to eat, they'd actually be squashes.

What to do with gourds after picking?

After harvesting, gently wash the gourds in warm, soapy water to remove any dirt. Then wipe the gourds with a soft cloth dampened in a household disinfectant. The disinfectant should destroy decay organisms which could lead to fruit rot. Finally, dry each gourd with a soft cloth.

What gourds are poisonous?

Part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes squash, watermelons and cucumbers, gourds are not toxic to humans, though those sold for decoration may need a good wash before being consumed. We turned to the experts to see if these autumnal decorations can actually be converted into tasty seasonal delights.

How long do decorative gourds last?

Turn the gourds every few days to allow all parts of the shell to dry. Gourds are usually fully dry in one to six months, depending on size. If you shake a gourd and hear seeds rattling inside, it's dry and ready to use, reports the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Discard gourds that rot during the drying process.

What is the best way to dry gourds?

Find a dark, cool, dry and well-ventilated place to dry the gourds (damp rooms can cause the gourds to rot). Place them on a wire drying rack for proper air circulation, making sure the gourds do not touch. If possible, use fans to dry them more efficiently.

Why are my gourds dying?

If pollinated, the little gourds under the female blossoms will turn into actual gourds. If not pollinated, then they will simply shrivel up and die.

What is the best fertilizer for gourds?

Gourds are fertilized the same way as cucumbers and melons. Incorporate 5-10-10 or a similar fertilizer (6-12-12) into the soil at planting, at a rate of 4 pounds per 100 feet of row. When the plant runners are 12 to 18 inches long, fertilize again spreading the fertilizer at least 18 inches away from the plant stems.

What is the point of gourds?

Many gourds are cultivated as ornamentals or food crops, and some can be dried and used to make utensils, cups, bottles, scoops, ladles, fishnet floats, whistles, rattles, pipes, birdhouses, and other useful objects.

Are gourds poisonous to dogs?

Gourds are part of the plant family Cucurbitaceae and are considered generally safe for dogs to eat. ... Sparse anecdotal evidence exists of dogs becoming sick after eating this squash. As always, if you have any doubts about a food's safety, don't feed it to your dog.

Why are gourds not edible?

“They're small and hard-rinded and very bitter, so they're not typically eaten.” Of course, there are some gourd relatives that make for good eating. Edible varieties tend to go by “squash” or “pumpkin,” valued for the sweetness and tenderness of their flesh.

How do you keep gourds from rotting?

Wipe the gourds dry and spray lightly with a household disinfectant or mist with rubbing alcohol. Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do.

Do Gourds come back every year?

Gourds will grow and dry just fine left right on the ground. Then, at the end of the year when they are totally brown, go get them and put them somewhere that is dry. Click to see full answer.

How do you seal gourds?

How to Preserve Pumpkins & Gourds

Prepare a mixture of bleach, water and dish soap. (One gallon water, 2 T. ...
Soak real gourds for 15 to 30 minutes.
Use a tub or even your kitchen sink.
Rinse and dry well.
Before adding to your decor, it's optional to give your pumpkins a quick coat of spray matte sealer. It helps preserve them even longer.

Will squirrels eat gourds?

Carved or uncarved, pumpkins look great on the front porch or doorstep come October. But the gourds are, technically, food. So it's no surprise they attract critters like squirrels! And not everyone's available to sit on the stoop and shoo them away all day.

Can animals eat gourds?

Deer, raccoons, squirrels, and possums will readily devour the flesh of pumpkins and other pulpy gourds. ... Strong animals like deer or mature raccoons can penetrate the toughened outer shell of these fruits, but if too much time elapses before they locate the stash, the insides can ferment or rot making them inedible.

What Gourds are not edible?

Tips to avoid poisoning

Ornamental gourds (colocynths): These are all toxic and should not be consumed. ...
Edible squash, purchased commercially or grown in garden vegetable patches: Try a small piece of raw squash and if the taste is bitter, spit it out and throw it all away: it should not be eaten, even when cooked.

How long does it take for gourds to rot?

Cure

Damp or humid weather promotes rot. A drying period of 10 days is sufficient to cure pumpkins and squash. Small gourds require two to three weeks curing. Large gourds such as birdhouse or apple take several months to dry completely.

How do you decorate gourds?

But if you're not sure where to start, these gourd decorating tips will help you out.

Place Them On A Platter. aklug85. ...
Arrange Them On A Mantel. Gourds — real or faux — give a homey touch to any mantel display. ...
Put Them In A Sprawling Centerpiece. ...
Place Them With Geometric Accents.
Put Them In A Basket.
Get Veggie Crazy.

What do you dip pumpkins in to preserve?

Petroleum jelly or vegetable oil will help keep the moisture in and keep your pumpkin looking good. Another option is to use a store-bought pumpkin preservative spray like Pumpkin Fresh, which contains fungicide (to kill the mold) and lubricants (to keep the pumpkin from drying out).