How to Grow Hard Shell Gourds

Hard shell gourds and winter squash grow in much the same way. Although they ripen in fall, both of these vegetables are called "winter" squash because they keep well into the winter. This means the hard shell gourds you harvest in August will survive until Halloween and Thanksgiving, when they can contribute to attractive seasonal centerpieces and horn of plenty displays.

Cow manure or compost
Shovel
Rake
Sprinkler
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Build one hill for every two to three gourd plants you plan to grow. Allow room for the vines to spread; they can reach lengths of 30 feet or more.
- 2
  Dig a hole 1 foot deep and 2 feet across.
- 3
  Fill the hole about one-third full with well-rotted cow manure or organic compost.
- 4
  Fill the hole with the soil you dug out, allowing it to rise above the surrounding soil to form a mound. Rake the top level.
- 5
  Plant six to 12 gourd seeds about 1 inch deep around the outside edge of the hill. Water with a sprinkler for about 20 minutes. When they grow to about 4 inches long, thin weaker seedlings to favor the strongest two or three plants. Compost the seedlings you remove.
- 6
  Fertilize your gourd plants about one month after you plant them, using a balanced plant food according to product directions. Repeat this feeding once each month through the growing season. However, experienced gourd growers claim that fertilizing is optional and that gourds thrive on neglect.

About Excessive Potassium in Vegetable Plants

How to Germinate Spinach

Growing Vegetables