Garden Column for the Salisbury Post
Darrell Blackwelder
November 2, 2001

	Gourds used years ago for kitchen utility item are now grown
as a novelty crop for fun or decoration. Growing gourds seems to
be easy, but harvest and curing of this unusal vegetable may be
somewhat tricky.
	The key to a good harvest is to know the maturity date
before planting. Some gourd varieties require up to 130 days to
mature.
	Gourds should harvested when the stems turn brown and the
shell has hardened before a hard frost. Special care should be
taken when harvesting not to break off the stem.  Stems broken at
the base of the fruit allow fruit rotting bacteria easy access to
gain entrance.  Using a sharp pair of pruners or knife, leave at
least two inches of the stem attached to the fruit avoiding
scratching and bruising of the skin.
	  Gourds should be washed in a 1 to 10 parts solution of
bleach to water.  Use a towel dampened with this solution to wash
the fruit.  Other crops such as winter squash and pumpkins are
harvested in the same manner.
	Store the newly collected gourds in a cool, dry location out
of direct sun.  Storage in full sun causes excessive spoilage.
Gourds may take from 4 weeks to 6 months  for final curing.
Place the newly harvested fruit on newspapers not touching each
other in a well ventilated room. During the curing process the
outer surface dries and the gourds begin to change color.
	Gourds can then be moved to a warm, dark, dry location that
has plenty of air flow.  Some use the attic of homes or barns.
The gourds should be checked periodically for rotting fruit.
These can be huge up to dry out.
	Some may develop a superficial mold or crust during the
final stages of curing.  This is a normal process which can be
later removed.  Occasionally turn the gourds allowing them to
evenly dry out.  Properly dried gourds become light and the seeds
rattle.
	When the gourds have reached desired dryness, the fruit can
be washed in warm, soapy water to remove mold.  The dried fruit
may then be sanded or polished.  Gourds can be stained, dyed,
varnished, painted or decorated with a wood burning tool at this
stage.
	The Rowan County Master Gardeners grew quite a variety of
gourds this summer. The gourds were harvested a few weeks ago and
are now in the curing process. Those wanting more information
about gourds may write:
	The American Gourd Society
	P.O. Box 274
	Mt. Gilead, Ohio 43338

or visit them on the web at http://www.americangourdsociety.org/.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of
horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension  in
Rowan County. Visit the Master Gardener Website at
www.rowanmastergardener.com for addtional information and
previously published garden columns.