Bottle Gourd Seeds - Calabash - Lagenaria siceraria

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11 - The Calabash Bottle Gourd is grown as a warm-season annual in all zones with a sufficiently long growing season. It is a true heat-lover and is extremely sensitive to frost.

Best performance in Zones 5-10 where long, hot summers provide the ideal 100+ day growing season required for the vines to be highly productive and for gourds to mature fully for hardshell crafting.

Northern Zones (2-5) - The long growing season requirement (100-120 days) makes it essential to start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date to guarantee mature gourds. Plant out only when the weather is warm and settled.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11) - Perfectly suited for these climates. Direct sow seeds in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is thoroughly warm. These zones provide the ample heat and long season needed for a bountiful harvest.

Soil Temperature - Requires very warm soil to germinate. The optimal soil temperature is between 70-95 degrees F. Planting in cool soil will cause the seeds to rot.

Growing Season - Requires a long, frost-free growing season. Young, edible gourds can be harvested in 75-90 days. For mature, hard-shell gourds for crafting, a season of at least 100-120 days is necessary.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
In short-season climates (Zones 2-5), start seeds indoors in biodegradable peat pots 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. In all other zones, direct sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is consistently very warm (at least 70 degrees F).

Where to Plant:
Full sun (8+ hours per day) is essential. Bottle gourds are heavy feeders and require rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Most importantly, they need a very strong and sturdy support structure, like a heavy-duty trellis or arbor, to climb on. The vines and fruits become extremely heavy.

How to Plant:

Seed Prep: The seed coat is very hard. To aid germination, gently scarify the edge of the seed with a nail file or soak the seeds in warm water for 12-24 hours before planting.

Sowing: Plant seeds 1 inch deep. If growing on a trellis, space plants 2-3 feet apart. If allowing them to sprawl (not recommended), plant them in hills spaced 5-6 feet apart, with 2-3 seeds per hill. Thin to the strongest seedling.

Transplanting: If started indoors, handle seedlings with extreme care to minimize root disturbance. Transplant the entire peat pot into the garden.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: These are very thirsty plants. Water deeply and consistently, providing at least 1-2 inches of water per week, especially during flowering and fruit development.

Fertilizing: As heavy feeders, they benefit from soil that has been generously amended with compost. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season.

Pollination: The white flowers open at night. To ensure a good fruit set, you may need to hand-pollinate. Use a small, soft brush to transfer pollen from a male flower (on a long, thin stem) to a female flower (has a tiny gourd-like swelling at its base).

Harvesting for Eating: Harvest the gourds when they are still young and tender, typically when the skin is pale green and soft enough to be easily pierced with a fingernail. Harvest frequently to encourage the vine to produce more fruit.

Harvesting for Crafting: To get a hard-shelled gourd, leave the fruit on the vine for the entire season. Harvest in the fall just before the first frost, after the vine has started to die back and the stem attached to the gourd is dry and brown. Cure the harvested gourd in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area for several months until it is lightweight and you can hear the seeds rattling inside.