Table of Contents
Instructions Drill the Doorway. Clean the Inside of the Gourd. Smooth Out the Gourd. Clean With Bleach. Drill Holes for Wire. Insert the Wire for Hanging. Create a Perch. Paint the Birdhouse.
How do you dry a gourd for a birdhouse?
Spread the gourds out on top of newspaper sheets in a well-ventilated, dry garage. Arrange the gourds so they aren’t touching and turn them once a week so all sides dry evenly. Dispose of any gourds that develop soft, rotten spots during drying.
What birds will nest in a gourd birdhouse?
Gourds make fine homes for several varieties of cavity nesters, including bluebirds, swallows, chickadees, wrens, woodpeckers, great crested flycatchers, titmice, screech owls, kestrels and nuthatches. Learn how to turn a gourd into a birdhouse.
Do gourd birdhouses need a perch?
Do you know why there are no perches on the gourd birdhouse? Birds do not need a perch to enter the nest, they have such precise flying skills that they can land on the edge of the entrance opening. A perch would be an invitation for other predator birds to enter the nest. Therefore you do not need a perch.
Do gourds come back every year?
Customers come from all over the world to shop at the Farm in Fallbrook, CA. In addition to the gourd racks being filled in March when the new crop is harvested, they are also periodically filled throughout the year. This helps guarantee a great selection of gourds for the majority of the year.
How long does it take for a gourd to dry out?
Depending on the size of your gourds, the entire process of drying can take 1-6 months. First, you’ll notice that the outer skin will harden and the colors will begin to set. This generally happens in the first few weeks. The internal drying takes place next, which usually takes another 4 weeks.
Do gourds make good birdhouses?
There are several different types of gourds that make great birdhouses. For larger birds like the purple martin, they prefer a 9-10” kettle gourd. For wrens, chickadees, and most other small birds, a kettle gourd from 6-8” in diameter works best. Dipper gourds and bottle gourds also make great birdhouses.
How do you seal birdhouse gourds?
To finish your birdhouse gourd it is important to use a high-quality outdoor sealer. My favorite choice is Varathane Clear Gloss Spar Urethane Spray Paint. It leaves the gourds well protected, shiny and beautiful, and it is really easy to apply.
Where do you put a gourd birdhouse?
Hanging Your Gourd Birdhouse Attach it to a post or tree with plenty of space between houses. Position the house with the opening away from prevailing winds.
What size hole should I put in my birdhouse?
Many wild birds prefer entrance holes that range between 1 and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The chickadee prefers 1 1/8-inch diameter openings, the titmouse, Bewick’s wren, and the downy woodpecker look for homes with 1 1/4-inch diameter openings. Nuthatches prefer 1 1/4-inch to 1 3/8-inch diameter openings.
Do Purple martins prefer gourds or houses?
We recommend it with SuperGourds, but any kind of gourds can be used. Location is crucial for purple martins. Their houses need to be in an open area so they can sail straight into the houses from at least two directions. Put their house in the middle of your biggest open area.
Do birdhouses need ventilation holes?
Birdhouses should have ventilation and drainage holes to prevent overheating or drowning of baby birds. If you have a house without these you can always drill a few holes in the floor for drainage and high up on the sides to provide ventilation.
What do you put inside a birdhouse?
Wood is the best material for birdhouses. Other materials (like metal or plastic) may not insulate the nest enough, so eggs or young could become chilled in cold weather or overheated in warm, sunny weather. Use rough-cut wood slabs, tree sections, or 3/4-inch plywood.
Can you eat a birdhouse gourd?
Birdhouse gourds make an ideal gardening project for the whole family. The hard-shelled hanging fruits are not edible but are wonderful for craft projects such as creating decorative homes for the birds.
Do gourds need a trellis?
Gourds are a versatile plant. It can be planted both in the ground or in containers. Unless you have a really large space, it is important to provide a sturdy trellis because gourds will sprawl everywhere. The trellis helps them grow under control, keep the fruit clean, and also require less garden space.
What month do you plant gourds?
Gourds are warm-season crops that need a long growing season free from frost. The best time to plant gourd seeds outdoors is in spring after the average last frost date. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maintains probability data for the first and last frost and freeze of the season in every state.
How much space do gourds need?
Gourds prefer full sun and rich well-drained soil that is rich in organic material. Sow the seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the weather is warm. Sow seeds 1-2 inches deep in groups of 4 seeds, spacing in groups 5 feet apart in rows spaced 8 feet apart.
How do you store gourds after harvest?
Dry or cure the gourds by placing them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location, such as a garage or shed. Place the gourds in a single layer on clean newspapers or shelves. Space them so they don’t touch one another. Turn the gourds frequently and promptly remove any which show signs of decay.
How do you know when gourds are ready to pick?
The best way to tell if a gourd is ready to harvest is by look and feel. The vine will begin to die back and the skin of the gourd will be hard and pale. An immature gourd feels fleshy and is bright green.
