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Botanical Interests

Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds

Birdhouse Hard-Shelled Gourd Seeds

Regular price $4.49
Sale price $4.49 Regular price
~3.0 g (~13 seeds)
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Product Details

Once properly cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as 'Birdhouse', can last for decades and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood, for hundreds of craft projects. 'Birdhouse' gourd of course makes a great birdhouse—leave natural or paint any color you want. Grow 10'–16' vines on the ground or up a very sturdy trellis to produce mature gourds in 80 to 140 days. Also attracts hummingbirds!

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  • Variety Info
  • Sowing Info
  • Growing Info

Variety Info

Days to Maturity: 95–110 Days

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Type: Hard-Shelled Gourd

Native: Zimbabwe

Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual

Exposure: Full sun

Plant Dimensions: 10'–16' vines

Variety Info: Light green gourds have a 10"–12" diameter, round base with narrower neck. Turns tan when dried.

Attributes: Attracts Hummingbirds

Sowing Info

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°F.

When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, recommended for areas with short growing seasons. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground.

Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 days

Seed Depth: 1"

Seed Spacing: 4 seeds per mound

Thinning: When 3" tall, thin to 3 per mound

Growing Info

Harvesting: Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. Some gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds to their characteristics for craft projects. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut stem leading to gourd, leaving 1"– 3" of stem for a handle.

3.9
Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 12 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 7 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 2
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12 reviews
  • Patricia V.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Sep 25, 2024
    5 Stars

    Can't wait to try it again next year!

  • Linda R.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Feb 17, 2025
    4 Stars

    Weather still too cold so haven’t planted them yet. Seeds arrived on time & packing in good condition.

  • Andrea H.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Jan 22, 2025
    5 Stars

    I have never grown these but they intrigue me. Very unique and I appreciate they can be used for a birdhouse.

  • cat
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    May 9, 2022
    5 Stars

    I grew these in two different garden locations - the one with most direct sun had greater success, but not disappointed in the one adjacent to it - just the one in front blocked it a bit more. Initially, saw a few hummingbirds, but not many. My BIGGEST QUESTION is... we've had SO MUCH rain recently before the vines can dry, I wonder if that is going to hinder the process of being able to harvest these before they turn to mush. I have two smaller gourds that are definitely dry, but I don't hear seeds in them. I left them outside, sadly in the rain because I was distracted by a severe cut/bleeding finger and ran into the house; but hoping they might dry and be OK. I have SO MANY, I was hoping to give them to family and friends to be painted and used. Sure hope they survive.

  • Michael
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    May 9, 2022
    5 Stars

    I got these seeds at Urban Hardware on Haynes Bridge in Alpharetta and I started them in my backyard in a raised garden bed with sand on the bottom and a sand soil mixture in planting hole.I started them with 3-6 seeds each hole and they all grew 5-12 inches. I took them out and transplanted to my new home and they are planted in a raised garden where I had and still have peppers and planted on other side of yard -planted near mint, lemon thyme, and pineapple sage. They are growing very large and have gourds now which are very- very large. I recommend using stakes because they like to climb and most of mine are growing on the ground but stakes will help strengthen the plant and you will get hanging fruit. Awesome seeds!