bring in or keep out

21 years ago

I have a nice harvest of some extra long handled gourds that I've kept outside and not green cleaned. Anyone had experience with these long handled gourds that can advise as to whether I should bring them in when or if it gets really, really cold? Like the teens or below zero?

While I'm at it...I'll also ask this.

I often scrap off the first layer of green skin on the smaller gourds I grow (cannon ball, nest egg, bird house) but I've not done it on the Bushel or these xtra long handled ones. I read that on the thinner ones it encourages cracking...but I've learned alot from this forum by confirming what I read with folk's actual experience.

So...any thoughts on my "do I bring them in" question and this "green cleaning" question will be most appreciated.

thanks from...

Burt in central Ohio

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Comments (2)

bcrazy
21 years ago
I have grown quite a few extra long handle gourds over the last three years. You can leave em outside or bring em in.
Freezing dosen't seem to hurt them. I have read that the seeds will not be viable for replanting, if the gourd freezes before the seeds inside have dried.

Personally I have had bad luck the few times that I have removed the epidermis while the gourd was still green. The gourd would sometimes shrivel and warp.

I just let them dry naturally, til they feel like balsa wood or you can hear the seeds shake. This may take several weeks to several months. Only then do I soak em and remove the epidermis with a scour pad. Good luck
burtjauk
Original Author
21 years ago
bcrazy..
Thanks for the tips. Mine are still outside and un-scraped. I think I'll leave them that way.

I'm so pleased with the results I'm willing to take the time to prevent needless shrinking.
Thanks again for taking time to answer.

Burt in Central Ohio
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