Gourds : Bushel

Slate gray gourds with strong shells make excellent baskets; up to 5' wide!

It is the largest gourd we offer. It is not unusual for them to grow to over the size of one bushel, especially if you trim them to 1 fruit per plant. Slate gray gourds make excellent baskets when dried, as their shells are stronger than other gourds tend to be.

Cucurbitaceae Lagenaria siceraria

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This is an example of the timeline you would see based on your growing conditions.

Gourds: Lagenaria

Bushel

Lagenaria gourds are native to the old world tropics. The fruits come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and can get a lot bigger than the other types. They have thick, hard shells and have been dried and used as bottles, dippers, birdhouses and musical instruments.

Basics

Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual
Days to Maturity: 130-140 (Spring/Summer)
Growing Habit: Vine
Hardiness: Tender

Gourds are quite frost tender and cannot be planted until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Don't put them out before the temperature reaches 65˚ F daily.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Summer
Growing Season: Long
Cultivar Type: -
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot

Gourds are sprawling plants, notorious for taking up a lot of room; so its best not to plant them in the middle of the intensive garden. They take a lot less space if grown vertically on trellises or cages, but then of course they cast a considerable amount of shade. Generally it is best to plant them in hills at the edge of the garden and let them run off into unused space. The site of an old compost pile by a wire fence is perfect. Once established they can compete with almost any plant, so long as their roots are in good soil and they are well fed and watered.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 60°F - 90°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 65°F

Don’t plant out until all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, about when the temperature reaches 65° F daily (when the Apple trees blossom.)
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot)

Full Sun.
Water: Moderate

The plants need an evenly moist soil for maximum productivity. The best way to water Squash is in the morning with a soaker hose or drip irrigation, as wet foliage can easily lead to fungal diseases, especially with cooler nighttime temperatures.

Water moderately early in development and heavier after fruits form.
Feeder: Heavy

High nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorous. Gourds have a very vigorous root system, which may go down 6' in its search for nutrients.
Suitability: High heat, Needs lots of space
Small Gardens?: No
Containers?: Yes

Grow in a container that is at least 24” in diameter. Keep plants well watered and fed in the container.
Attracts beneficial insects?: No
Color: Green/Slate
Fruit Size: 24.0 - 60.0"
Plant Height: 60.0 - 200.0"
Plant Diameter: 20.0 - 30.0"
Hardiness Zone: 4-11
Disease Resistance: -
Taste Profile: Not to be eaten.
Rotation Group: Fruits: Solanaceae + Cucurbits

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Plant Guide

Gourds : Bushel

Slate gray gourds with strong shells make excellent baskets; up to 5' wide!

Bushel

Basics