how do you dry gourds to make birdhouses?

Answer 1

first dip them in a 1/10 bleach solution to kill mold and bacteria, then drop them inside a ruined panty hose leg and hang them from a clothesline in your attic, back porch, or top of your garage. they need to be in a dry and warm area. don't cut into them until they are so dry you can hear the seeds rattle inside-this will take up to about 6 months. check on them and flip them around occasionally, and above all keep them dry.

best wishes,
cryllie

Answer 2

See the website below.

http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/gourdsdry.htm

Gourds normally take about 6 months to a year to dry. And it is normal for them to mold. They are good as long as they don't get a soft spot. If the gourd gets a soft spot it probably didn't get a chance to mature all of the way on the vine. Once you can hear the seeds rattling inside they are normally dry.

After they are dry you can treat the gourd almost like wood. It can be stained, varnished, and painted.

Answer 3

Well I'd first decide the opening for what size bird, and appropriate size Gourd, then cut it. Kinda like carving a pumpkin. I'd want to keep it in a dryish place to avoid mold, and try to eventually clean out any internal residue. You can also create the "hanging holes" to aid in the process.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Go to this site and you will find the instructions


www.thetuliptree.net/gourdart/gourdhouse1.html