GROW HARDSHELL (LAGENARIA) GOURDS FOR BIRDHOUSES
Presented by George Armstrong
 
 
 

BASIC CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS
    1.  Fresh Seed
    2.  Fertile Soil
    3.  Good Drainage
    4.  Regular Watering
    5.  Lots of sunshine
    6.  Plenty of Room
    7.  Growing season of 4 1/2 months or more

HARVEST AND CURING
    1.  Let vines dry and turn brown in fall
    2.  Keep the stem intact when removing
    3.  Handle gently
    4.  Store inside or outside
            A.  off the ground
            B.  with good air circulation
            C.  not touching
            D.  turn occasionally
            E.  disinfect?
            F. remove damaged gourds
    5.  Allow to dry - 2 months to a year or more
            A.  till gourd becomes light in weight
            B.  seeds rattle inside
            C.  shell is dry and hard
     6.  Clean
            A.  submerge in warm water for a few hours.  Scrape with a knife   to remove softened outer skin.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN PREPARING A GOURD FOR NESTING BIRDS
    1.  The kind (size) of bird to be accommodated
    2.  Entrance hole
            A.  size
            B.  height above base
            C.  NO perch
    3.  Drainage holes
            A.  size
            B.  number
            C.  location
    4.  Color
            A.  natural
    5.   Hanging
            A.  Non-rusting wire (e.g. copper or stainless)
            B.  stability
            C.  height above ground
            D.  location (in the open, in  or near a tree or hedge)
            E.  distance between nests
            F.  exposure
    6.  Housekeeping
            A.  annual cleanout
            B.  provide nesting materials
 
 

SOME NESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SELECTED BIRDS
 
Species 
  Length 
Size of Entrance 
Height of Entrance
Cavity Size 
Height Above Ground
House Wren
4 1/2 - 5"
1 "
1 - 6 "
4 x 4 x 7 "
6 - 10 '
Chickadee
 5 - 6 "
 1 1/8 " 
6 - 8 "
4 x 4 x 8 " 
6 -  15'
Downy Woodpecker
6 1/2" 
1 1/4"
6 - 8 " 
4 x 4 x 9 " 
6 - 20 '
Bluebird 
7" 
1 1/2"
6 " 
5 x 5 x 8 "
5 - 10 '
Flycatcher 
8 - 9 "
2 "
6 - 8 "
6 x 6 x 9 "
8 - 20 '
Purple Martin
7 1/4 - 8 1/2 " 
2 1/2 "
1 "
6 x 6 x 8 " 
5- 20 '

 
 
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