For thousands of years, people have turnedornamental gourdsinto tools and utensils.
Today, many people use gourds to make various seasonal crafts.
Meanwhile, the larger hard-skinned gourds from theLagenariagenuswork well for birdhouses, bottles, and ladles.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
There is no shortcut to drying gourds for crafts.
Growing Ornamental Gourds
Ornamental gourds can be grown in most climates.
Start ornamental gourds indoors from seed or outdoors as small plants in the early spring after the last frost.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Provide well-draining soil that receives full daytime sun.
check that to give each plant plenty of space, as most gourd varieties grow unruly.
(Some vines can reach 15 feet long.)
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
This can make them unsuitable neighbors to other garden plants.
Most gourd varieties produce fruit in approximately 180 days.
But you must wait until thevegetablehas ripened on the vine before harvesting.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
A ripe gourd that is colorful and has a hard-to-pierce exterior will yield the best results for drying.
Cut the gourds from the stem before freezing temperatures hit, as the cold can ruin their skin.
Even a light frost can alter the color of hard-skinned gourds and affect their ability to dry.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Discard any gourds that are bruised or spoiled.
They will decay in storage, and the rot might spread to neighboring gourds.
double-check to cut instead of pull, as you might damage the stem.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
This can allow a fungus to move in and decay the vegetable.
Wash and Sanitize
Wash your gourds in soapy water, and allow them to air dry.
Then, wipe the gourds with rubbing alcohol to further ensure that the surface is clean.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Let the Outside Dry
Place the gourds in a well-ventilated area away fromdirect sunlightfor about one week.
The skin will begin to harden and change color.
After a week, the outside of the gourd should be dry.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
Store them on a screen or vented surface in a single layer, and verify no gourds are touching.
Alternatively, hang each one with twine, allowing for ample airflow under and around the gourd.
This will allow them to dry evenly, and it should prevent rotting.
Check on the Gourds
Check your gourds every few days.
Discard any that begin to decay, shrivel, or become soft.
