Ornamental gourds come in an almost endless array of shapes, sizes, and colors from a single sprawling vine, making them a favorite for fall harvest displays and craft projects rather than for eating.
Closely related to squash and pumpkins, gourds grow vigorously on long vines that benefit from plenty of room or a sturdy trellis, and their hard shells make them ideal for drying and decorating long after the growing season ends.
Gourds want full sun and rich, well-draining soil, and their vigorous vines need generous space to sprawl or a sturdy trellis to climb. Leave gourds on the vine as long as possible in fall — the stem should be brown and dry before harvesting for the best curing results.
Curing gourds in a warm, dry, well-ventilated spot for several weeks to months after harvest hardens the shell and allows them to be kept as decor for years.
