Description

Once cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as Corsican, will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for dozens of craft projects. Carve them, leave the natural color, or paint these 6″–10″ round and 3½”–5″ deep gourds any color you want. Gourds may be sown 24″ apart if trellised.

Botanical Name: Lagenaria siceraria
Days to Maturity: 140 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Native: Zimbabwe
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Plant Dimensions: 15'–30' vines
Variety Information: Corsican is a lagenaria type gourd. Mature green gourds are 6″–10″ in diameter, and 3 ½”–5″ deep; the shape resembles a wheel of cheese.

When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 2 to 4 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is at least 60°F, ideally 70°F.
When to Start Inside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, recommended for areas with short growing seasons. Sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly in the ground.
Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 days
Seed Depth: 1″
Seed Spacing: 2–3 seeds per mound
Thinning: When several leaves, thin to 1 per mound

Harvesting: Hard-shelled gourds should remain in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. Some gourd growers leave gourds in the garden during the winter, which adds to their characteristics for craft projects. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut stem leading to gourd, leaving 1″–3″ of stem for a handle.

11 seeds.