They are usually very quick germinators IME so my best guess would be that the seeds rotted from all the excess moisture or the heat trapped inside - it can easily reach 150 degrees in those things.

Given that the gourds at least need a very long growing season it is very late to be planting them anyway in our zone so I'd suggest waiting until next year to try again and plan to plant them out in late April.

You'll find lots of help on germinating seeds on the Growing from Seed forum here and be sure to check out the Pumpkins and Gourds forum too for even more tips.

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Pumpkin & Gourds Forum

Dig down and check to see if they've rotted. Pumpkin/squash seeds are usually up in a few days. I say "usually" because I suppose it's theoretically possible that they can take longer, but they've always, without exception, been quick to germinate for me, no matter the variety or whether I've direct sown outdoors or sown on a heat mat indoors.

Thanks!! I did dig them up and no rooting or anything??? They weren't mushy or look sick, they were just wet. UGH! I'm going to give it one more week, if they're not rooted by then, maybe I'll just try again with the seed I have left. I know they need a long time to grow but I just want to get them to germinate first! Even if I get them to come up and I harvest them in November, at least I can say I did it and "practice" for next season.

PROBABLY it is too late for most of the gourds to produce
fruits that will mature before the end of the season, in zone 6-7, especially bottle, birdhouse gourds. In order for these gourds to have any value they need to mature on the vine and develop hard shells. Ornamental small colorfull gourds are diiferent, since they are for temporary decorative purposes.
I am in zone 8 and planted my gourds back in late March. Now my birdhose gourds are abou 6" in diameter.