Birdhouse - Gourd Seeds
HEIRLOOM.
Birdhouse gourd, also known as bottle gourd, is perfect for making your own inexpensive birdhouses. It has a smooth, hard bottle shaped shell and can be 10 to 12 inches wide and 14 inches tall. It's pale green when ripening but will turn straw-beige once it's ready to use. The Egyptians have been using this type of gourd from about 3000 - 4000 BC.
GROWING TIPS
Start seed indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting into the garden. Optimum soil temperature for seed germination is 65-85 degrees. Transplant to the garden 2 to 3 weeks after your average last frost. Or, plant seeds directly in the garden 1-2 weeks after average last frost date. Sow 3-5 seeds per hill, thinning to a final 2-3 plants per hill. Gourds grow best in a warm site with full sun. Warm soil is essential to good seed germination and emergence. Using transplants can speed production.
SEED FACTS
Scientific Name: Lagenaria siceraria
Days to Maturity: 95-110
Seed Depth: 1"
Days to Sprout: 7-14
Plant Spacing: 2-5'
Row Spacing: 6-10'
Light Requirements: Sunny
Plant Height: 18-24"
Life Cycle: Annual
Frost Hardy: No