Thursday, September 18, 2014
By Pam Baytos
OSU master gardener volunteer
What’s a gardener to do with dried, moldy gourds?
Well, start with the outside by scrubbing off the mold that grew during the drying process. Begin by letting gourds soak in warm water. Use a washtub, garbage can or even the bathtub. Gourds will float, so weigh them down. Test the surface. If mold comes right off, it’s time to scrub. My favorite “tool” is a nylon kitchen scrubby, but one that will not scratch the surface. Rinse and dry.
For cutting, experiment with tools you may already have. Try a hacksaw, drill, woodcarving set, keyhole bit, craft jigsaw, Dremel, etc. Be sure you are using proper safety precautions. Determine the front side of the gourd, and mark it with an x in pencil for reference. Next, decide the style and size of the opening. Use the pencil to mark the layout (mistakes can be erased). Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask.
There are many cutting techniques you can use. For the neck of a gourd, you’ll probably use an angle or straight cut. Just draw out the line, support the gourd and cut. For a curved top, draw out the line, drill a starter hole (on the back), insert blade and cut. For a bowl cut, draw and cut the line by supporting your drawing arm (on books), hold the pencil against the gourd and turn the gourd for your pattern.
For cleaning out the gourd, I continue to experiment with tools. I use spoons, needle-nose pliers and even pumpkin-carving kit tools. Scrape out seeds and loosen the fiber. You might need to soak the inside overnight to soften, then scrape and dry before moving on.
When decorating the exterior, you can treat the surface of gourds like wood. You can saw, drill, carve, woodburn, paint, stain, dye and wax. When making a birdhouse, drill the entrance hole 4 inches from the base. The size of entrance hole depends on the type of bird you want to attract. After cutting the entrance hole, clean out the inside as completely as possible. Drill four drain holes using a one-eighth-inch or one-quarter-inch bit in the bottom, then two holes at top for a wire hanger. Paint or varnish the exterior. Placement of the birdhouse is the critical factor in attracting nesting birds. Do some research on nesting habits before hanging. Take houses down and store during winter.
Don’t forget to save some seeds. This process may provide some interesting and different gourd types as cross-pollination can occur in the garden setting. Separate seeds from pulp, spread out and dry. Store in a cool, dry place.
To learn more about drying and curing gourds, go to: http://go.osu.edu/gourds.