4 of 7

Write now Article Tools

Grow gourds for birdhouse or for other art projects since they are relatively easy to grow. They are in the same family as pumpkins and squashes. Some gardeners suggest you grow them over a trellis or near a fence since their vines grow rapidly. Or you can buy then at the produce sections of most grocery stores. Expense wise, though, it is best to grow them since once you have built one, you will want several to put in your own backyard, or to give as gifts.

First you must dry the gourds. You will need to hang them in cool dry place, such as closet or an attic. Basements may be too damp. And assuming the gourds are the fat ones with a long neck, the directions are as follows:

You will need to scrub the outside to get off all the things stuck to it. I suppose you could this after you have cut the gourd and before you apply the perches. It's your choice. You will have from 30 to 60 days to decide on the particulars of exactly what you are going to do with the gourd since it takes that long for it to dry.

Place the gourd upright and hold with a vise. I am assuming you are doing this in your workshop and you do have the proper tools, because dry gourds are hard and cannot just be cut with a butcher knife. Do not try this!

If you have them marked where you are to cut the big hole and the hole for the siring or the cord that is used for hanging, maybe you can talk someone at the nearby hardware store or lumber place to do this for you. For a fee, or maybe a good deed for an exceptional customer.

So you are in your workshop. Wrap an old towel or some protection around the gourd so as not to damage it with the vise. With a small drill bit make a small hole in the top all the way through. This is for the hanging cord.

With a hole saw attachment for your drill, make an opening between one and two inches in diameter in the middle of the fat part of the gourd. (If for a martin house the hole needs to be larger, maybe two or three, four inches. And too the gourd needs to be a large one)

Once the hole is cut out, scrap out the seeds. You can dry then and plant them next year, or crush them and use them for bird food. If a perch is needed, and of this is for a purple martin, perches will be needed, you drill a hole alongside the bottom of the hole on either side and insert small dowels. Now that this part is finished, you can do the decorating. Whatever you decide on will be according to the use intended and your imagination. Children love to do this so let them help you. Look in gardening and birding magazines to get inspired.

Whatever, after the final painting with acrylics or left unfinished, several layers of varnish will be needed. Also it advisable to wear a respiratory mask when sanding with an electrical sander. And if you are catering to the extraordinarily particular purple martins, to be successful you will need precise instructions and you will need other parts like assays and access parts. Call 1-800-764-8688 or visit their website for further instructions.

Sources:
http://11 sk-mgk.com
http://essortment.co m/howtomakebird_nffe.htm

Learn more about this author, EMoore.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for turning a gourd into a birdhouse?
We want to hear your view. Write now!