Gourds

General Information Sheet

What is a gourd? Basically, a gourd is a thick-skinned fruit that grows on a vine. More specifically, a gourd is a member of the Cucurbitaceae (a.k.a. cucumber) family. Squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, and gourds all belong to this family.

What different kinds of gourds are there? The three main types of gourds are Cucurbita (ornamental), Lagenaria (hard-shell), and Luffa (vegetable sponge). Cucurbita are small and can easily grow from containers and along a fence. Gourds grow to be various shapes and sizes. Apple, pear, banana, basketball, cannon ball, snake, and penguin are hard-shell gourds named after their shapes. Luffa gourds are prized for their inside, not their outside, unlike other gourds. Luffa sponges that people use in the shower come from this gourd—not from the ocean, which is a common misperception.

How do I grow gourds? There are several ways you can grow gourds. Some people start them from seeds, while others buy plants from the farmers’ market or their local garden nursery. You can plant them in either the ground or large containers. Gourds that grow on the ground get flat spots, which can be good if you want to make something that will stand up on its own. Gourds that grow off the ground, e.g. on a trellis, should be supported to prevent premature fruit from falling, as the water in the gourd weighs on the vine. Growing on a trellis or other structure is ideal if you don’t have a lot of space. You can also grow gourds in molds. For example, you could grow a gourd in a wood box to get a square shaped gourd.

Where can I get dried gourds? Gourd farmers that belong to the Wisconsin Gourd Society grow gourds and dry them for sale. Gourds are sold either with or without their outer skin still on them. Some growers scrape the skin off the gourd shortly after it is harvested so it will dry faster. Because the skin is removed, gourds dried in this manner will not have any unique markings that mold leaves behind. Instead, they will have a uniform, creamy tan color. These gourds are ready for crafting as soon as they are dry. Growers who like the visual effects mold gives a gourd—and who can wait a little longer for the gourd to dry—will leave the skin on while the gourd dries. Some of these growers clean their gourds before selling them by soaking them in water and scraping off the moldy skin. Other growers leave the skin on for the buyer to remove at home.

What can I make with gourds? You can make anything using gourds as your art or craft medium. Using techniques such as woodburning, carving, dying and painting you can make birdhouses, bowls, instruments, masks, purses, canteens, vases, ornaments, and figurines. Throughout human history, people have grown gourds to make cooking and eating utensils, water and grain storage containers and musical instruments.

How do I find out more about gourds? Members share what they know about gourds by teaching workshops, writing newsletter articles, and by answering questions online, through the newsletter and in person at festivals and other events. Several members sell gourd art and crafts, dried gourds, gourd seeds, and crafting tools and supplies. You can find out a lot about gourds by joining the Wisconsin Gourd Society. For more information, please visit our website, call or write to us.