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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.
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.
How do you seal a birdhouse gourd?
Spray the gourd with a water seal. This will help to preserve the birdhouse for years to come. Hang. Pull twine or fine wire through the holes in the top of the gourd and hang the birdhouse in a area that is easy for you to see but sheltered so the birds will be safe from predators.
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.
How do you make a hole in a gourd?
Soak the gourd in soapy water with a little bleach and then scrub the gourd with brush and steel wool. Let dry. Then drill four small holes 1/8” in the bottom of the gourd for drainage. With an adult’s help drill a 3/8” hole just inside the circle of the gourd.
Where do you hang a gourd on a 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.
How do you clean a gourd birdhouse?
Use sandpaper to smooth the exterior of the gourd and the inside edges of the entrance hole. To clean and sanitize the gourd, soak it in a solution made from one part bleach and nine parts water. Completely rinse the gourd in clean water and hang up to thoroughly dry.
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.
How do you waterproof a gourd?
Plasti Dip is also a tried and true method of waterproofing a gourd. It creates a rubber like coating on the inside of the gourd. Then, there are methods that don’t require sealers at all. Insert a plastic or glass container inside your gourd to serve as a holder for water or plants.
How do you keep gourds from rotting?
Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do. Heat accelerates drying and darkness will preserve the gourd’s color.
What do you do with gourds?
5 Things to Do with… Gourds HOUSE A BIRD. Photo: gonzalesmastergardeners.org. It’s fun and easy to make a birdhouse from a hollowed-out gourd. HANG A GARLAND. Photo: asoftplace.net. MAKE A LANTERN. Photo: makezine.com. CARVE A JACK-O’-LANTERN. Photo: southernliving.com. CRAFT A CANTEEN.
Why are gourds not edible?
Ornamental gourds and hybrid garden squash should not be eaten. Some cucurbits are toxic and contain cucurbitacins, substances that are highly irritating and bitter.
How do you eat bird house gourds?
Immature gourds can be used in stews and stir-fries. “Thai Bottle” gourds are most often used to make birdhouses when the mature fruits are dried. But, young gourds are delicious steamed or sliced and stir-fried. Grilling is another favorite preparation technique, as is grating the fruit and making it into fritters.
What is a good companion plant for gourds?
The gourd society does recommend companion planting as a preventative method. Radishes, catnip, broccoli, dill, and French marigolds are all good companions for gourds.
How long does it take to dry a gourd?
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.
What color birds hate?
One color that the majority of birds avoid is white. A dull or bright white signals alarm and danger to birds, causing them to avoid those areas.
What colors attract birds to bird houses?
Picking a Color for Your Bird Feeder or Bird House Gray, dull green, tan, or brown, are colors that make bird houses or bird feeders less visible to predators because they blend in best with natural surroundings. Avoid metallic or fluorescent colors as they tend to be so bright, they offer no cover from predators.
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.
