Gourd Houses?

Guest · Mon Sep 05, 2005 10:56 am

Hi,

I have read a lot of these forums and have come to the conclusion that
natural gourds in fact make the best homes for Purple Martins.
Could I get input or a place to find out exactly what I need? It is almost gourd selling time here in Wisconsin. What shape and size do I look for?
Once I purchase them, what do I do with them? etc, etc. I see that there are many experts on this site, your help would be very appreciated! I would like to get it right the first time rather than waste a lot of time and money with trial and error. Since many of you have gone through that already for us, I Thank You!

Lvnnature

Emil Pampell-Tx · Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:13 am

There is much to be said. My suggestion is to do a search for "gourds" and you should find tons of info, as there are many excellent articles available. If you have questions after reading some of those articles, then let us know.

Another goud search method is to look for "birdhouse gourds"

Chuck Abare has good instructions http://home.earthlink.net/~chuckabare/
On the left side of his page is "gourd page, then go to "gourds to birdhouses" . This site gives you most of the info that you need

Leverett Doehring/Mo · Mon Sep 05, 2005 2:21 pm

This is a personal opinion but if I were wanting natural gourds I would seek out a southern grower where the growing season is longer. My experience with growing gourds in a northern location is the gourds are large enough but sorta thin skined, even with all the protection you give them by sealing in an out they still only last 3 to 5 years. Perhaps if they are started in a greenhouse, ready to send runners, and planted the day afer the last frost they would be ok. Be prepaired to let the take over your garden.

Guest · Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:07 pm

Lyn,
Chuck Abare is a gold mine of information. His site has just about all the information you need for gourds:

http://home.earthlink.net/~chuckabare/index00.htm

Sarah also has a very informative site:

http://www.martinsetc.com/id187.htm

I am far up north and plan to grow my own gourds next year, I hope to get them started in a hot house in April.

Good luck.

Guest · Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:11 pm

Emil,
Sorry - did not see your link to Chucks site.

Guest · Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:42 pm

These are fantastic sites, saved me a lot of looking time!

Thank You Very Much,

lvnnature

CUL Lou~Mich · Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:34 am

Ivnnature. One good place to look for gourds to buy is Gourds Gracious. (Not positive of the exact name, but I believe I'm close.) You should be able to do a Google on Gourds, then there should be a link to click on to buy, or for sale, or something like. Like was said, I'd definately go with someone from the South. As for shape. There are both round, and horizontal. Either one is good. If you've checked out Chucks pages, you should have a good idea of what to look for. You want gourds that will be around 10 to 12 inches from front to back. Horizontals you just want good sized, and I'm not sure how to describe the size. Some folks will take a 2 1/8 to 2 1/4 inch hole saw, and cut a hole in the bottom of the neck, right close to where the neck hooks to the bowl. (On the horizontals that is.) This will not keep starlings out, but it'll slow them down, and you should be able to get a shot at them if it is safe, and legal to shoot where you live. English House Sparrows, and European Starlings are both enemies of Purple Martins, and should both be eliminated at every opportunity. CUL Lou