Lake Valley Seeds -Gourds
For Luffa Sponge:
Planting & Harvesting
Seed Depth: 1″ (3cm)
Spacing: 4″ (10cm)
Sprouts In: 10-15 days
Thinning: 10″ (25cm)
Sow outdoors in full sun and loose soil with plenty of organic matter about two weeks after last spring frost date when soil is warm. Plant 3-4 evenly spaced seeds per hill. Or start indoors two weeks before last frost. Thin to two or three gourds per vine for largest fruit.
Harvest mature gourds in fall just before the first hard frost. Bring fruits indoors and allow to dry completely. Seeds will rattle inside when gourd is dry. Soak gourd in water for a few days to soften outer skin, which should peel off easily. Cut off the ends and wash out the seeds to make loofa.
Luffa’s long, trailing vine grows like winter squash and requires a full season to mature. Full-sized gourds are 12-18″ long. Their dried interiors absorb like a sponge when wet, then become firm when dry. Popular for use in the bath, shower, and kitchen.
For Small Fancy Mix:
Planting & Harvesting
Seed Depth: 1″ (3cm)
Spacing: 4″ (10cm)
Sprouts In: 7-14 days
Thinning: 10″ (25cm)
Plant in full sun or partial shade in rich soil. Start outdoors about two weeks after last spring frost, or indoors two weeks prior to last frost date. Feed monthly with side dressings of compost or vegetable fertilizer.
Harvest in late summer or fall when shells are thumbnail hard. Leave as much stem as possible and store in cool, dry area.
For Dipper:
Planting & Harvesting
Seed Depth: 1″ (3cm)
Spacing: 4″ (10cm)
Sprouts In: 10-15 days
Thinning: 6′ (2m)
Plant in full sun with rich soil. Start outside about two weeks after last frost. For transplants, start indoors about two weeks before last frost. Feed monthly with side dressing of compost or vegetable fertilizer.
Harvest in late fall after plant has died back. Dry in a cool place with good air circulation. Black spots and mold are normal while drying. After a few months, when the seeds rattle inside, your gourd is completely dry.
Lagenaria, or hard-shelled gourds, have been cultivated since prehistoric times for use as storage, drinking vessels and utensils. Dipper Gourds grow about fifteen inches long, longer if trellised. Easy to grow.
For Shenot Crown of Thorns:
Planting & Harvesting
Seed Depth: 1″ (3cm)
Spacing: 4″ (10cm)
Sprouts In: 10-15 days
Thinning: 10″ (25cm)
Sow in full sun to part shade in rich, well-drained soil about two weeks after last spring frost. Feed monthly with a side dressing of compost or vegetable fertilizer. For best shapes, set gourds upright while they are growing.
Fun to grow! Each colorful gourd is shaped like a crown with ten fingers pointing toward the blossom end. Fruits are 4-6″ across.
Harvest in late fall after vines have died back but before the first hard frost. Leave a 1″ stem. Dry in a cool place with good air circulation.