Bottle Gourd Seeds

1. Start bottle gourd seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep in a shallow tray filled with a mixture of equal parts potting soil, compost, and perlite.

2. Place the tray in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist but not soggy.

3. Transplant the seedlings into the garden when the soil is warm and all danger of frost has passed. Space the plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 3 to 4 feet apart.

4. Plant bottle gourds in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Amend the soil with compost before planting.

5. Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season. Water deeply and allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

6. Fertilize bottle gourds with a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.

7. Mulch the soil to conserve moisture and keep weeds down.

8. Harvest the gourds when they are firm and the skin is hard. Cut the gourds from the vine with a sharp knife.