Rocky Mount Gourds & Treasures of Louisiana

It is still too early for most of us to start planting in our Gourd Patch, but, there is still time to start new gourd plants indoors for a head start.  Peat pots or small pots with a starting mixture may be used.  If you have a green house, this is great, but you may start them indoors in a well lighted location too!!

One year I started about 1,000 gourd plants in my small 8' x 12' greenhouse, for which I am very thankful!

 Just make sure you are using sterile potting mediums, as it will not have diseases or pests hiding inside.  Yes, gourds are very prone to diseases and pests, especially the more you grow them in Louisiana!!

 In the mean time, if you have any gourds around you may want to start creating!!  Children usually love gourds too.

For now,

The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount

If you are having trouble attracting Purple Martins to your current habitat and you have had Martin box type houses in the past you may want to try gourds and creating a new habitat.  Often predictors have invaded the habitat and the Martins will not return.  I have two neighbors that believe a snake was in their Martin Box and they are trying Gourd Martin Houses in hopes the Martins will return.

If you have access to large gourds, the preferred hole size for Martins is 2-1/4", and no perch.  The Martins love the swinging motion in the gourd.  I love to look out on the line with 20 or more Gourd Martin Houses and they are swaying with the wind.  We also have Gourd Martin Houses on our site here at Local Harvest.

 Until tomorrow, happy "sky watching".

The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount