Am still trying to figure out how to get the formatting the way it needs to be without using the Classic editor. It may take some time. Please forgive the aesthetics until then. I have pulled together pics of my journey with the birdhouse gourd seeds that Jules sent me last year and up to the present, so you don’t have to keep clicking on links to see the pictures. Will try to put them in sections to make it clear.
The following pics are from July 2025 where you can see the biggest they got before the season wound down.
The next batch of pics is from Nov 2025. I harvested them from the vines when the vines turned completely brown, which is what multiple videos I watched said to do.
The next pics are from April 2026. They look very gnarly. Next time I think I will dip them in bleach water and see what happens. One didn’t dry right and there were no seeds inside of it. Another doesn’t survive the scrubbing process, leaving a total of 4 gourds.
It was quite a chore to get these things cleaned up right. First I used brillo pad to get the big pieces of flaking skin off. Then I soaked them for about a half hour (weighed down, as they are buoyant) and then used steel wool to get them nice and smooth. They do have a natural design on them that I like, and that is the way I hung the first one. Younger son brought his dremel over after the special attachment arrived to saw a hole in them. He was careful and used the variable speed to cut the holes, which looked easy for him to do. Then he drilled 3 holes in the top and 3 in the bottom. I gave one to granddaughter to hang in their yard, and I hung one here. The other 2 weren’t ready to be drilled when they were here, but I’ve scrubbed them and they are ready now.
I’ve got new plants growing and a few blossoms on them so far, but I just don’t see them having fruit as big as this by July? We’ll see. If you have any questions about the process, please put them in the comments. One other thing: the dust coming from the gourds while being drilled is toxic, so wear a mask if you do it.
Tao-Talk 
I love your gord bird houses. Great photos! Do you save your seeds from year to year?
I am very unhappy with Word Press now that they did away with the Classic Version. I am adapting, but have lost a lot of small tweaks that I really liked. I am on the free site, so I thought they were just putting the squeeze on me to upgrade. I don’t need all the extras. To me they distract. i just want to give you photos and poems. The rest is excess baggage.
Keep up the good work, Lisa.
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Dwight, last year was the first year I grew them, and hopefully this year will bring more to save. I gave most of the seeds to the library today but I still have some. If you want any, let me know.
I pay for my WP so I don’t think that’s why they changed it, but I’m mighty unhappy about it also.
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Are you getting all this odd flash backs and reblog suggestions and nots saying how many days your activity streak is… I am not sure what they are up to!
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Yes, I am, and it is irritating. I think they are prodding us to post more for some reason.
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More post… more adds for WP! Some of what they are posting is silly!
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p.s. Thank you!
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Oooooooh, what a great idea.
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Thanks so much. It’s been an adventure :)
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O gourd! (forgiveness unnecessary) 😊
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Paul, I have loved this adventure from seed to birdhouse. Thanks on the kind words.
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Wonderful that your gourds are finally becoming ready for birds to make a nest in them. It sure is a long process, but fun seeing how they change. Hope you get some good ones again this year. :)
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Barbara, I remember you gave me good advice back in the beginning, about overwintering them in the garage. It worked like a charm. I hope so also, thanks! :)
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You’re welcome! Glad they’ve turned out good for you. :)
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:)
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The original gourd I recieved I just put in my enclosed patio overwinter. It did get spots, but I just washed the gourd (maybe with soapy water) – I didn’t look for any instructions. I put in a small hole about the size of a fifty cent piece and took out the seeds. Then I just painted it white – And it is still haning. I think this year – since I couldn’t get the old nest out, the wrens who were looking at it – chose another bird house, but they made the hole bigger. I kept the hole small so squirrels couldn’t get in.
I think it will just depend on the weather for growth. I didn’t plant any yet and maybe it is too late now. But I have seeds in my freezer. So I’ll just have to wait and see. Never enough time to do all the things you want. Good luck with all of your gourds. I’m just happy some did grow.
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All good info for me, Jules. I think the holes I had son put in them are too big and plan on measuring again bluebird box holes. I was amazed at how many seeds came out of 2! I have kept maybe 2 dozen and donated the rest to the library. Still have 2 gourds to get drilled, so a lot more seeds on the way. I hear you on never enough time in the day. Thanks again for the original seeds <3
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You are very welcome – the original gourd was a gift from a Menonite friend :)
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glad you enjoyed the process Li! 🤗🤗👌👌🌹🌹
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:)<3
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