Almost Ready

[John T]

I decided to try something different this year. Instead of cleaning my gourds and putting them in storage I left them on the poles and have been cleaning them and putting them right back with doors on. I have storage problems and this saves a lot of space in my shop. I think I like this better. Decided not to expand this year. I was 88% occupancy last year with 48 gourds. My numbers were 48 gourds, 42 occupied, 191 eggs, 188 fledged, 2 infertile eggs, one dead baby. now to get to cleaning my last 9 gourds. Hope everyone has a successful year. I'll probably update some of my older gourds next year.

[-=DKC=-]

I decided to try something different this year. Instead of cleaning my gourds and putting them in storage I left them on the poles and have been cleaning them and putting them right back with doors on. I have storage problems and this saves a lot of space in my shop. I think I like this better. Decided not to expand this year. I was 88% occupancy last year with 48 gourds. My numbers were 48 gourds, 42 occupied, 191 eggs, 188 fledged, 2 infertile eggs, one dead baby. now to get to cleaning my last 9 gourds. Hope everyone has a successful year. I'll probably update some of my older gourds next year.

I would leave mine out (lowered) year round but I'm trying to save as much South Texas sun wear-and-tear as possible. Not to mention the rust issue with living a few blocks off of the bay. I really have to take my pole down every year to at least lubricate the top pulley.

[John T]

With the exception of possibly more algae, they cleaned up very well with 50-50 mix of simple green. the thg and tvg gourds seem to clean up better than others. I usually lubricate my top bearings every 2 years. Like I say, I just don't have enough storage space.