![]() Seedlings should then be thinned to two or three per hill after true leaves emerge. Seeds should be sown one to two inches deep in groups of four seeds each, spaced in mounds at least five feet apart in rows spaced eight feet apart. The best way to accomplish this is to dig a hole approximately one foot deep, and refill it with a mixture of either aged manure or compost combined with the soil, then finish it off with a mound on top.ĭon’t be shy about adding compost, as these plants need a generous helping of nutrients to keep them happy. Hills also help to maximize airflow and minimize ambient humidity, both of which help to prevent the spread of disease. Gourds are typically grown in hills of earth to ensure that adequate nutrients are available for these heavy feeders. To sow them outside, it’s important to wait until after the last average frost date in your area, and plant once the weather starts to warm up. From Seedįar and away the easiest option to grow gourds is to directly sow the seeds in the ground. Ready to grow your own? You have a few different options to get started. ![]() Gourds found in the Cucubita genus are generally cultivars of two different species: C. The pollinated blooms mature into a range of colourful fruits, producing visually stunning yellow, gold, green, orange, and white vegetables. They are closely related to other types of pumpkins, winter squash, and summer squash, producing golden yellow blooms much like their close cousins. They may go by the common names squash, pumpkin, or gourd depending on the species, variety, and location where they are cultivated. pepo fruit exhibit a range of vivid colors.Ĭucurbita, on the other hand, is a genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family which includes five species, all known for their edible fruit. There is also one other genus, Luffa, the sponge gourd.Ĭ. It is thought to have been cultivated as early as 13,000 BC.Īmerican gourds are thought to have come from the Asian subspecies, and it is likely that this was among the first cultivated species in America.īroadly speaking, there are two main groups of gourds – hard-shell ( Lagenaria spp.) and ornamental ( Cucurbita spp.). siceraria, or the bottle gourd, is thought to originate from southern Africa, and it seems from the DNA record that two distinct subspecies were developed in Africa and Asia. They grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-10. Gourds are the fruits of certain flowering plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, notably of the Cucurbita and Lagenaria genera. Read on to find out everything you need to know about growing gorgeous gourds! Cultivation and History
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