Crop Rotation Group
Cucurbits (Squash family) ●
Soil
Well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
Cannot tolerate frost.
Feeding
Drench plants with a liquid fertilizer when they begin to blossom and set fruits.
Spacing
Single Plants: 2' 11" (90cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 2' 11" (90cm) with 2' 11" (90cm) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in late spring or early summer, either in rows or hills. Also may be started from seedlings started indoors or purchased at stores.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Most gourds grow into large, long-vined plants. Growing long gourds on a trellis helps them keep their shape. Grow at the edge of your garden to save space.
Harvesting
Harvest gourds as late as possible, because gourds will not cure and store unless they are totally ripe. Cut gourds with a bit of stem attached, and move to a dry place to cure through winter.
Troubleshooting
Squash bugs and squash vine borers can be serious pests. Exclude them from young plantings with row covers. Some gourds such as luffas rarely fruit well in northern latitudes.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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