Gourd Seeds

• USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map explains where plants are likeliest to thrive based on an area's winter temperature. Gourds thrive best between zones 2a and 11b. They do not like frost, so ensure you check your seeds and home zone before you grow. 
• Soil: Gourds can grow in almost any good garden soil that is well-drained, aerated and enriched with fertilizers. Sandy or clay loam soils are the best for an early maturing crop. Gourds are sensitive to acidic soils and prefer a pH between 6.5 and 7.5 with a slightly alkaline reaction. Wait at least three years if you planted other cucurbits, tomatoes, peppers or tobacco in the same soil because gourds are susceptible to some of the same diseases. 
• Sun exposure: Gourds require a full day's worth of sunshine — at least six hours.
• Planting: Before you grow, you need to know when to plant gourds. Growers plant gourds in the spring after the last frost has passed. If you don't want to wait, you can start the process indoors several weeks before the last frost and transplant them outdoors later.
• Dimensions: Gourd vines can reach 30 feet long. 
• Spacing: Gourds require 3-4 feet between plants and 8-10 feet between rows.
• Depth: Seeds need to be planted 1 to 1 ½ inch deep in the soil.
• Watering: A continuous water supply is necessary to grow healthy gourds.
• Harvest: It takes 90 to 125 days for gourds to grow to maturity, depending on the variety.

Gourds come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Small fruited types tend to be very colorful and come in an array of shapes, textures and color patterns. These types tend to be soft-shelled and will eventually start to lose their color and breakdown. To preserve them for better keeping, dip them in wax or shellac to help preserve their color longer. When harvested, the larger fruited gourds will have a mottle green coloring. The color will quickly fade as they dry down. The larger gourds are great for selling to crafters. Or, try selling some painted or dressed up in costumes to increase your fall sales.

Our selection of gourd seeds has many unique styles and colors. Some of the gourd seeds we offer include:

• Gourd Autumn Wings Blend Seed
• Gourd Daisy Seed
• Gourd Gizmo Seed
• Gourd Speckled Swan Seed
• Gourd Small Formula Blend Seed

• Most gourds can be grown in a small space, with vines trailing up a trellis or wire fence. This method also prevents the fruit from becoming misshapen, which might happen if left to trail on the ground. 
• All gourd varieties are warm weather crops, requiring well-drained fertile soil. 
• Plastic mulch can be used to raise soil temperature, conserve moisture and control weeds.
• Like pumpkins, gourds require proper field spacing and pollinators to produce big yields. Space most gourds 18-24” apart in the row with 8-10’ between rows.
• Compact vine types like Daisy Gourd, Galaxy of Stars, Koshare Yellow Banded and Spoon Platoon can be sown with 6’ between rows. 
• Sufficient honeybee populations in the area are key to good pollination but the larger hardshell Lageneria types are also pollinated by moths during the evening hours.
• If possible, plant these types on the darkest areas of your farm so that any artificial light will not distract this important pollinator.