Gourds

About a month ago we planted some pumpkins and at the same time we planted bottle gourds. I love gourds and think we may have some before frost, if things go well. We haven't grown them before and we really don't know what to expect. I didn't expect these delicate flowers, but there are hundreds of them covering the gourd vines. The light green powder on the dark green leaves is garden dust to help keep the squash bugs away.

I also didn't expect to see white flowers.

The flowers are only blooming for one day. Some of the flowers are male and some are female. The male flowers tend to bloom at night. Underneath the female flowers, a bulb forms and this will be a gourd.

I know gourds are useful for many purposes and can be used for birdhouses, and for decorating. My father used them mainly to grow gourds to make birdhouses for Martins.

Indians used to grow them to make tools and utensils. They made bowls, containers, dippers and probably things I can't even imagine. The gourds harden and you have to saw them open to get the seeds out. I think small ones were used for baby rattles. I have also seen some beautiful art objects made from gourds and I would like to use them in that way, depending on the size and shape of our gourds and, of course, if we have any at all.

I remember, as a girl drinking cold water from a dipper made from a gourd. I thought it was great.

I also wanted to give an update on the floating row cover over my squash. The squash are really looking good and every day I like the row cover more. The plants are protected from bugs and I think the vines are growing faster under the row cover. I really like it!