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As many seasoned bird-watchers know, you don't have to spend a lot of money to attract birds to your yard. Birdhouses, feeders and even birdbaths can be created using a variety of inexpensive and unexpected materials. Making your own birdhouse will not only save you money, but can give you a great sense of accomplishment and provide an enjoyable activity for the entire family.

One of the most creative and popular handmade birdhouse options that I have come across is the gourd birdhouse. Gourds make excellent homes for birds because they are completely natural, and can be created using something grown right in your very own garden! Whether you grow your own gourd or purchase one at a market or craft store, creating a gourd birdhouse is very inexpensive, not to mention fun! Many people even make and decorate gourd birdhouses to sell at various craft sales and marketplaces. Growing your own gourds is very inexpensive, so the opportunity for profit is great and you'll have fun as you earn a little extra cash.

This isn't a project for the impatient, however, as drying a gourd can take several months. Obviously, if you plan to grow your own gourds, the process will take even longer (once the gourds are dry, however, the project shouldn't take more than an hour or two, depending on how complex or decorative you choose to make your birdhouse).

If you do choose to grow your own gourds, you will need to plant the seeds in the spring, after the last danger of frost has passed. If you want to speed the process along, you can start the seeds indoors a few weeks prior to planting them in your garden. The gourd plants will need plenty of room as they grow, so make sure not to plant the seeds too close together. For optimum growth, the plants need something to climb up as they mature. A garden fence or some wooded posts would do the trick. They also need plenty of water, especially during dry spells.

The type of gourd you choose is up to you. A bottle gourd, sometimes referred to as a Mexican bottle gourd, is a popular option for making a birdhouse. The size of the gourd will depend upon the type of bird you are trying to attract. Obviously, smaller gourds are better for smaller birds, whereas larger birds will require a large gourd. A rule of thumb: the "ball" of the gourd should be large enough for the bird to comfortably turn around in. You also want your gourd to have a hard, firm outer shell, and the thicker the walls of the gourd, the better. Gourds with shells that are

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