Knowing when to pick birdhouse gourds is the single most important step to ensure your hard-grown fruits become durable, lasting homes for wildlife. Get the timing wrong, and your gourds can rot or mold before you even have a chance to clean them. But harvest them at just the right moment, and you’ll be rewarded with perfect natural birdhouses that can last for years.
This guide walks you through the clear, visual signs of maturity. We’ll cover the simple tests to perform in your garden and the straightforward steps for harvesting and curing your gourds successfully.
When To Pick Birdhouse Gourds
Birdhouse gourds, also known as bottle gourds or Lagenaria siceraria, need a full growing season to mature. Unlike vegetables you eat, you are harvesting these for their hard, dried shells. Patience is absolutely key here.
The Primary Signs of Maturity
Your gourds will tell you when they are ready. You just need to know what to look for. Here are the main indicators:
- The Stem Turns Brown and Woody: This is your first major clue. The stem attaching the gourd to the vine will change from green and flexible to a dry, corky brown. It often starts to shrivel.
- The Skin Changes Color and Texture: The bright green skin will fade to a tan, yellow, or light brown color. More importantly, the surface becomes hard and cannot be punctured with a fingernail. The outer skin also develops a waxy, waterproof feel.
- The Gourd Sounds Hollow: Give the gourd a gentle tap with your knuckle. A mature, ready gourd will produce a hollow, echoing sound, indicating the inside has dried and separated from the outer shell.
- The Vine Begins to Die Back: As frost approaches or the plant completes its cycle, the leaves and vines around the mature gourd will start to wither and die. This is natures signal that the growing season is over.
The “Float Test” and Other Checks
If you’re still unsure, you can perform a simple float test. This is especially helpful for gourds that have changed color but you want to be certain.
- Fill a large bucket, tub, or sink with water.
- Gently place your gourd into the water.
- Observe what happens. A fully mature gourd with a dried interior and developed seeds will float. An immature gourd, still full of watery pulp, will sink.
If it sinks, leave it on the vine for a few more weeks if possible. Also, look for any soft spots or discolored areas, which can indicate rot starting. It’s better to harvest a slightly immature gourd than lose one to rot.
What If Frost is Coming Early?
Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate with your gourds timeline. If a hard frost is forecasted and your gourds are still mostly green, you can still harvest them. Cut them from the vine with several inches of stem attached.
They will need a longer, more careful curing process indoors, and their shells may not be as hard as vine-ripened ones. But you can often save them.
Step-by-Step Harvesting Instructions
Once you’ve confirmed your gourds are ready, follow these steps for a clean harvest.
- Gather Your Tools: You’ll need a sharp pair of pruning shears or a knife. Blunt tools can crush the stem and invite disease.
- Leave a Long Stem: Cut the stem, leaving at least 2 to 3 inches attached to the gourd. Do not break or twist it off. This long stem helps prevent rot at the top of the gourd and is useful for hanging later.
- Handle with Care: Even though they are tough, avoid bruising or cracking the skin. Any break in the shell can let in mold and bacteria during curing. Carry them in a basket or bucket, don’t drop them.
- Clean Gently: Use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe off any obvious dirt or mud. Do not scrub hard or use harsh chemicals. Some gardeners use a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) for a quick wipe to kill surface mold spores, but it’s not always necessary if the gourds are clean.
The Crucial Curing Process
Harvesting is only half the battle. Proper curing is what transforms your mature gourd into a hard, usable birdhouse. This process allows the remaining moisture inside to slowly evaporate.
- Find the Right Location: Choose a warm, dry, and well-ventilated place. A garage, shed, covered porch, or spare room is ideal. Good air circulation is critical to prevent mold.
- Arrange for Airflow: Place your gourds on a wire rack, cardboard box, or old screen door so air can move around all sides. Do not let them touch each other. Hanging them by their stems from a rafter is an excellent method.
- Be Patient and Watch Closely: Curing can take anywhere from 1 to 6 months. The outer skin will harden further and may develop surface mold. This is normal! The mold is eating the outer waxy layer, not harming the shell underneath. You can wipe it off with the mild bleach solution if desired, but it will often just dry up.
- Listen for the Seeds: The gourd is fully cured when it is very light in weight, the seeds rattle loudly inside when you shake it, and you hear no sloshing sounds.
Dealing with Rot During Curing
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a gourd will develop a soft, mushy spot or smell bad. This means rot has set in. Immediately remove this gourd from your curing area to protect the others. Unfortunately, it cannot be saved for a birdhouse, but you can compost it.
Preparing Your Cured Gourd for Birds
Once cured, your gourd is ready to become a home. Here’s how to finish it.
- Soak and Scrub: Submerge the cured gourd in warm, soapy water for about 20 minutes. This softens the remaining mold and dirt. Use a stainless steel scrubber or rough sponge to scrub the outer skin clean. It will reveal the hard, beautiful shell underneath.
- Cut the Entrance Hole: Using a drill with a hole saw attachment or a small hand saw, cut a 1- to 2-inch diameter hole on one side of the gourd. The size depends on the bird you want to attract (e.g., 1.25″ for chickadees, 1.5″ for bluebirds). Place the hole high enough to keep a nest safe from the bottom.
- Shake Out the Seeds: Tip the gourd upside down and shake out all the dried seeds and pulp from inside. You can save seeds for next year’s planting!
- Drill Drainage and Hanging Holes: Drill a few small (1/4″) holes in the bottom for drainage. Drill two more holes near the top of the stem to thread wire or rope for hanging.
- Optional Finishes: You can leave the gourd natural, paint it with non-toxic exterior paint, or apply a coat of clear varnish to protect it from the elements. Always ensure any finish is fully dry and fume-free before hanging it outside.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Harvesting Too Early: This is the most common error. A green gourd will almost always collapse during curing.
- Harvesting Too Late: Leaving gourds out through multiple hard freezes or letting them sit on wet ground can cause them to rot or become discolored.
- Curing in a Damp, Dark Place: Poor ventilation is the enemy of curing. A basement without a dehumidifier is often a bad choice.
- Storing Gourds Before They Are Fully Dry: If you put them in a box for storage while still even slightly moist, you will likely find a pile of moldy gourds later.
FAQ: Your Birdhouse Gourd Questions Answered
Q: Can I pick my gourds when they are still green?
A: It’s not recommended for long-term use. Green gourds havent developed their hard shell and are much more likely to rot during the curing process. Only harvest green if a killing frost forces you to.
Q: How long do birdhouse gourds last outside?
A: A properly harvested, cured, and prepared gourd birdhouse can last for 2 to 5 years, sometimes longer, depending on your local weather conditions.
Q: The outside of my curing gourd is moldy. Is it ruined?
A> Probably not! Surface mold is a normal part of the curing process as the outer layer decays. Just wipe it off during your final cleaning and scrub step. Only be concerned if the gourd itself feels soft or smells foul.
Q: What’s the best time of year to harvest?
A: For most temperate climates, harvest time is in late fall, typically after the first light frost but before a hard freeze. This is usually from late September through October.
Q: Can I eat birdhouse gourds?
A: No. Birdhouse gourds (Lagenaria) are mature, hard-shelled gourds grown for craft purposes. They are not edible like summer squash or young, soft gourds. They can even be mildly toxic if ingested.
By following these guidelines for when to pick birdhouse gourds, you’ll maximize your success. Pay close attention to the stems and the sound they make when tapped. With good curing technique, you’ll turn your garden’s bounty into functional art that benefits your local bird population for seasons to come. Remember, the wait for that perfect, hollow sound and brown stem is always worth it.