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COUNTRY GARDENS // FA LL 2019
CRAFTY
GOURDS
Mature, dry gourds should be
cleaned thoroughly to prepare
them for crafts projects. Dickie
and Linda Martin wash their
gourds for several hours in a
galvanized tub fitted with high-
pressure nozzles to remove dirt
and mold. Here are some other
ways to clean hard-shell gourds:- Use a pressure washer and
scrub brush. - Soak gourds in water then
scrub with a stainless-steel
scrubber. - Mix a solution of TSP cleaner
and water to speed up the
process of loosening dirt
and mold. - Bury gourds in moist potting
soil in a tub or bucket. After
two to five days (large gourds
need the most time), remove the
gourds from the potting soil,
rinse them well, and wipe them
off with a sponge.
For more information, see
Resources on page 103.BELOW LEFT A pile of harvested gourds lies in the garden, ready to be cleaned. BELOW MIDDLE The Martins wash
their gourds in a big stock tank fitted with high-pressure water nozzles. BELOW RIGHT After the gourds are cleaned,
they are sized and stacked in the barn, ready for sale. ABOVE A birdhouse gourd hangs ready for occupancy. The
entrance hole is 2 inches in diameter. Birdhouse gourds last for years. OPPOSITE Tennessee spinner gourds, gathered
by the handful, make fun spinning tops. You can also drill holes in the necks and string them to make painted pendants.