Gourds are generally grown for fall decorations. However, they can be dried and preserved for so much more. Gourds have been cultivated for thousands of years and were first used as utilitarian items–utensils, bowls, containers and instruments. Today in addition to fall décor, they are used for crafting, birdhouses, art, jewelry, musical instruments, and more. To last beyond their first season, they needed to be preserved by drying or curing.
Steps to curing gourds:
- Pick gourds when they are fully mature. At maturity, the stem attached to the fruit begins to dry and turn brown. Cut the gourds from the vines with a hand shears, leaving a few inches of stem attached to the fruit. Handle the gourds carefully as the skin is susceptible to bruising or scratching.
- Gently wash the gourds in soapy water and rinse in a solution of water and chlorine bleach. This should destroy decay organisms, which could lead to fruit rot. Gently dry each gourd with a soft cloth.
- Dry the gourds by spreading them on several layers of newspaper or on racks in a warm, well-ventilated place such as a porch, garage or shed. Place the gourds in a single layer, spacing them so that they do not touch one another. Avoid sunny areas as colors may fade. Rotate them from time to time and inspect them for rotting or molding. If moisture is detected, gently wipe with a dry cloth, Remove any which begin to rot.
- Drying or curing may take several weeks to months. To hasten drying of large decorative gourds, make a small hole in the bottom of the fruit with an ice pick or nail. Make sure to have something to catch the liquid that will seep from the hole.
When the gourds are fully dry, they will be light in weight and the seeds will rattle. Most dried gourds do not retain their bright colors. Once cured, the gourds can be used in their natural state or used for crafts, art, utilitarian items, and more. Gourds are so versatile and there are so many different things that can be done with them. The American Gourd Society and Martha’s Gourds are good sources for learning more about preparing gourds for crafting with links to information and tutorials on the different ways to craft with gourds or give them a new life. Gourds grown in the Midwest generally have a thinner shell and are fragile. Gourds grown in the southwest have a much thicker shell.
Gourds make excellent yard and home decorations and when properly cured, they will last season after season as a new creation.
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Ornamental Gourds. University of Arkansas Research and Extension.
Reviewed and updated, 2/2025, mg.
