Gourd Times

Is This Versatile Fruit the Black Sheep of the Cucurbitaceae Family? Or the Pumpkin’s Cute Little Cousin?

Find out at this weekend’s Artistic License Fair in Costa Mesa.

Ancient Uses of Gourds

Before the age of steel utensils, plastic pitchers, and glass bottles, our ancestors turned to gourds. These durable and versatile fruits were used to create:

  • Eating utensils and dishes
  • Water containers
  • Storage vessels
  • Musical instruments

Today, gourds continue to be used as decorative items and artistic mediums, especially during the holiday season.

Types of Gourds

  • Hard-shelled gourds (Lagenaria): Grown and dried across the globe throughout history.
  • Ornamental gourds (Cucurbita pepo): Found in stores during the fall, these colorful and uniquely shaped gourds are popular for decorations.
  • Luffa: The source of the well-known luffa sponge.

Global Uses

In many countries, gourds are still used for:

  • Food and water vessels
  • Musical instruments
  • Religious ceremonies

San Juan Capistrano gourd artist Lynne Everett showcases her gourd creations at the Artistic License Fair and also teaches gourd crafting.

Growing Conditions in Southern California

Southern California offers ideal growing conditions for gourds, according to Doug Welburn of Welburn Gourd Farm, which grows around 100,000 gourds annually.

“Gourds are like squash. They like hot weather and a lot of sun.” – Doug Welburn

Harvesting and Storing Gourds

  • Ornamental gourds can be used immediately after harvest.
  • Hard-shelled gourds must be cured for several months until fully dry.

Tips for Selecting and Storing Gourds

  • Choose firm ornamental gourds; mushy ones are rotting.
  • Keep gourds away from heat sources to prevent drying and rotting.
  • Refrigerate to extend their decorative life, and remove a few days before display.
  • To prevent mold, soak in a mild bleach solution and dry thoroughly.

Planting Tips

Starting Indoors

  • Start seeds in February using seed-starting mix.
  • Soak seeds overnight before planting 1 inch deep.
  • Cover with plastic wrap until germination.
  • Provide full sun until seedlings have four true leaves, then transplant outdoors.

Outdoor Planting

  • Plant in March, April, or May in sunny, warm locations.
  • Use mounds or trellises for growth.
  • Allow long gourds to hang; use sturdy trellises for heavy types.

Gourd Care

  • Water frequently without wetting the leaves.
  • Fertilize at planting and 1–2 times during the growing season.
  • Monitor for cucumber beetles and mildew.
  • Pollinate hard-shell gourd flowers manually if needed.
  • Harvest gourds in late fall after vines die back.
  • Cure hard-shell gourds outdoors off the ground in a ventilated area with morning sun for 3 months.
  • Use a mild bleach solution to remove any black mold developed during curing.

Where to Find Gourds and Seeds

  • Lynne Everett: (949) 728-0269 or rleverettocsouth.net
  • Artistic License Fair: Today and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Estancia Park, 1900 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa. Free admission. (909) 371-6507

Mail-Order Sources

  • Rocky Ford Gourd: P.O. Box 222, Cygnet, OH 43413. (419) 655-2152
  • The Tree Mover Tree and Gourd Farm: Open Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Call ahead. (805) 947-7121
  • Welburn Gourd Farm: Open Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Mon–Thu by appointment. (760) 728-0269

Books on Gourd Craft

  • The Complete Book of Gourd Craft by Ginger Summit & Jim Widess – $27
  • Gourds in Your Garden by Ginger Summit – $20

Common Types of Gourds

Ornamental Gourds

  • Crown of Thorns: Spiky, finger-like projections; usually green and off-white. Some can be dried.
  • Egg Gourds: Smooth, white, egg-shaped gourds ideal for baskets or ornaments.
  • Turk’s Turban: Orange-red bottom with a rounded, striped top resembling a turban. Great as a centerpiece.
  • Variegated Gourds: Smooth-skinned with diverse shapes and striping in green, yellow, and orange.
  • Warties: Bumpy, colorful gourds perfect for adding texture and interest.

Hard-Shelled Gourds

  • Canteen: Flattened round shape, 6–8 inches in diameter. Traditionally used as canteens.
  • Indonesian Bottle: Slender waist with two bulbs; good for vases or bottles.
  • Large Bushel: Giant, pumpkin-like; up to 3 feet in diameter. Great for jack-o’-lanterns.
  • Long-Handled Dipper: Tube shape with bulb end; excellent for floral arrangements.
  • Mini Bottle: 1½-inch gourd used for necklaces or shakers.

Julie Bawden-Davis

Julie Bawden-Davis is a bestselling journalist, novelist, blogger, and YouTuber. A prolific author, Julie writes in several genres. She enjoys creating page-turning suspense served up with a dose of romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire. Widely published, Julie has written 45 books and more than 4,000 articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. She lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. Julie gains inspiration from being surrounded by plants when she writes.