How to Grow Long Gourds

Remove the weeds and debris from a planting area with full-sun exposure, which is at least six hours per day. Work the soil up with a shovel and spread a 6-inch layer of compost on top of the surface. Broadcast 2 to 3 lbs. of 5-10-10 slow-release fertilizer per 100 sq. feet of gardening space.

Create soil mounds 12 inches tall that are 4 feet apart in rows 8 feet apart. Plant four seeds in the top of each mound 1 inch deep. Cover the seeds lightly with soil.

Spread 2 to 4 inches of straw mulch between the planted hills. Mulching conserves soil moisture, reduces weed growth and keeps the gourds clean as they develop. Pull any weeds carefully by hand to protect the shallow roots of the gourd plants.

Side-dress the developing gourd plants with 3 or 4 tbsp. of 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer once the vines begin to grow rapidly. Feed the plants every two to three weeks until harvest time.

Keep the soil moist during the growing season of the long gourds. Do not let the plants dry out, especially during the spring. Stop watering the gourd in September or October. This triggers the gourds to start drying out and the shell hardening.

Check for garden pests every week. Gourds are susceptible to cucumber beetle, squash bug, squash vine borer, cut worm and aphid infestations. Remove and dispose of the larger pests, and spray off the smaller pests with a strong stream of water.

Cut the long gourds off the vine with a sharp knife once the stems and tendrils are brown. The gourds become lightweight when they are ready to harvest. Leave 1 to 2 inches of stem on the gourd for decoration.