Bottle gourd-Birdhouse Gourd

Birdhouse gourd, or Calabash or Lagenaria siceraria, is a bottle gourd variety that is edible when young. When allowed to mature on the vine and turn brown and can be used to make utensils, containers or birdhouses. Pick them when they first turn brown and allow them to dry in a cool place after washing them with a mild detergent. Once they are dry, store them in newspapers till the seeds begin rattling within. Drill a 2" hole on the side of the gourd and scoop the dried seeds and membrane out. Make smaller holes on top to hang the birdhouse. Paint or varnish the gourds and hang them to attract your feathered friends.