1-860-567-6086

Advanced Search
Your wheelbarrow
Smart Order Form

The Large Fruited Ornamental Gourd Mixture

Hardshells take a long time to grow but once mature and dried, they become very hard and can last indefinitely.To make sure that it is a well-balanced mix, we blend the seed ourselves. It contains the following varieties, all aptly named to describe their picturesque shapes: Apple, Baby Bottle, Birdhouse (an 8" to10" long gourd used for birdhouses), Martinhouse (a larger,12" long, birdhouse shape), Bushel (12" to 15" round gourds historically used as Native American bushel baskets), Cucuzzi (if grown in a trellis, it can be a straight, 36" long and 5" in diameter), Long Handle Dipper (classic dipper with 12" to 15" handle and a 5" drinking cup), Maranka (the 18" Cavemans Club with a warted ball end), Speckled Swan (amazingly like a 10" sleeping swan), Snake (24" long and 2" in diameter) and Bottle (shaped like an old-fashioned, 10" to 15" milk bottle). (Please send us pictures: we can't wait to see what you do with them!) (OP.)

One packet of about 25 seeds

In stock
Item
#7450
Be the first to review this product
$5.05
  • Buy 10 for $4.55 each and save 10%
  • Buy 50 for $3.80 each and save 25%
main product photo
  • Information
    • Lagenaria siceraria. Large Fruited Gourds are commonly referred to as Hardshells, which may be crafted into whimsical, hanging bird houses. Closely related to Squash and Pumpkins, Gourds need lots of room to ramble and a hot growing site in full sunlight. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last spring frost date and transplant out into the garden. These crafty Gourds are not colorful but make up for it in an amazing range of fanciful shapes and sizes. Only harvest Hardshells after the vines have totally died back: frost and even freezes will not affect Hardshells. Cure thoroughly outdoors on pallets or screens until the Gourds are light and the seeds rattle inside the shells. Bee friendly. Deer resistant.

    Average seed life: 3 years.
  • Gardening Tips
    • Large Fruited Hardshell Ornamental Gourds Sowing Instructions
      Planting Depth      :1”
      Row Spacing:5’
      Plant Spacing:5’-6’
      Days to Germination:5-15 days
      Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

      Hardshell or Lagenaria siceraria. It requires space to ramble and hot, full sunlight. Start in indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant out. Soak seed for 24 hours and sow 2 to 3 seeds per individual pot. Provide good ventilation, strong light and even moisture. Thin each pot to the strongest plant. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. They are heavy feeders: amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Transplant out in hills in rich, well-draining soil and full sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Feed regularly. Frost tolerant, harvest once the vines have totally died back. Cure outdoors on pallets or on screens until the gourds are light and the seeds rattle inside their shells.

      Our Pollinators are in Peril

Lagenaria siceraria. Large Fruited Gourds are commonly referred to as Hardshells, which may be crafted into whimsical, hanging bird houses. Closely related to Squash and Pumpkins, Gourds need lots of room to ramble and a hot growing site in full sunlight. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last spring frost date and transplant out into the garden. These crafty Gourds are not colorful but make up for it in an amazing range of fanciful shapes and sizes. Only harvest Hardshells after the vines have totally died back: frost and even freezes will not affect Hardshells. Cure thoroughly outdoors on pallets or screens until the Gourds are light and the seeds rattle inside the shells. Bee friendly. Deer resistant.

Average seed life: 3 years.
  • Large Fruited Hardshell Ornamental Gourds Sowing Instructions
    Planting Depth    :1”
    Row Spacing:5’
    Plant Spacing:5’-6’
    Days to Germination:5-15 days
    Germination Temperature:65°-75°F

    Hardshell or Lagenaria siceraria. It requires space to ramble and hot, full sunlight. Start in indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date and transplant out. Soak seed for 24 hours and sow 2 to 3 seeds per individual pot. Provide good ventilation, strong light and even moisture. Thin each pot to the strongest plant. After all danger of frost has passed, harden them off by gradually acclimating them to the outdoors over 7 to 10 days. They are heavy feeders: amend the soil as necessary with organic fertilizer, compost and/or well-rotted manure. Transplant out in hills in rich, well-draining soil and full sunlight. Water regularly and mulch to deter weeds and retain ground moisture. Feed regularly. Frost tolerant, harvest once the vines have totally died back. Cure outdoors on pallets or on screens until the gourds are light and the seeds rattle inside their shells.

    Our Pollinators are in Peril

↑
Back to Top