Birdhouse Gourds

Posted by on April 28, 2009 at 2:59 pm.

A couple of years ago, we planted birdhouse gourds!  They are actually very pretty vines with large white flowers and seem to be very drought tolerant.

We made several birdhouses, and even some maracas from the smaller gourds, which we gave as Christmas presents.  Last year, we had what looked to be a vireo nesting in one of them. To make a bird house, the gourds have to “cure” by drying out and becoming hard.  We cut a hole for the entrance and drilled several holes in the bottom for drainage and two holes at the top to thread the hanging wire.  We painted some of them with acrylic paint and some we left plain and then gave a couple of coats of varnish.

We have just planted some of the seed that we saved to see if we can grow more!  I hope I haven’t spoiled any Chrstmas surprises!

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