The listing, 5 Birdhouse Gourd Seeds has ended.
Let your creative imagination run wild and have fun doing it,.
Soak the seeds in water overnight to give them a leg-up on germination. Plant the seeds in situ (in their permanent spot) as soon as the last frost date has passed in your area.
If you want to train them up a trellis or fence, plant the seeds about 2’-3’ apart (intersperse pea seeds in between if you’d like). Birdhouse gourds like well-drained soil and some compost or composted manure tossed in there once in a while.
The gourds will tolerate a light frost, so let them ripen on the vine as long as possible. But soon after that, you’ll need to harvest them and bring them indoors for several months to cure the rest of the way. The gourds will be ready to harvest when the stems turn brown.
Take a sharp knife and cut the stem of the gourd from the vine. Handle the gourds carefully because they bruise easily at this stage. Wipe off any moisture and keep them in a cool and airy place to dry for maybe 3 months.
Specific Bird Blueprints for Birdhouse Gourds
Nuthatch – You’ll want a gourd about 4” wide, the drilled entry hole 1 3/8” and the hole should be drilled 7” from the bottom of the gourd. Layer the floor of the gourd with wood shavings.
Bluebird – Choose a gourd that’s about 5” wide and drill the entry hole 1 3/8” and the hole should be drilled 8” up form the bottom of the gourd. Mount the birdhouse gourd at the edge of a clearing.
Wren or Chickadee – The gourd needs to be about 5” wide with an entry hole drilled 1 1/8” – the hole should be drilled 7” up from the bottom of the gourd. Layer the floor with wood shavings.
Tree Swallow – Choose a gourd that’s 5” wide. Drill an entry hole that’s 1 1/2 “around and place it 5” up from the bottom of the gourd.. Mount the house at the edge of a clearing.
Titmouse – Choose a gourd that’s 4” wide and drill an entry hole 1 ¼”. Place the hole 7” up from the bottom of the gourd and layer the floor with wood shavings.