Gourds - what are they for?

[oldmoleskins]

I think I covered the gift of 4 gourd plants in an earlier thread- and the perverse fact is that they have been spectacularly successful - 4 plants now cover an area 4x4m and the most adventurous has grown through the rabbit fence and 6m along it and another has had to be brutally stopped from climbing over the toms and up the wall
- but the fact remains, what use are they?

There must be a hundred green and yellow fruits of various sizes and textures. Any ideas for this:



or this:



OM.

[Deleted]

Sadly they are only decorative and of no culinary use even though they are related to courgette and squash. Is there a harvest festival at a church near you, I bet they'd ,love them for a display. Or perhaps a local flower arranger who could use them in a display

Sorry if I have disappointed, but they do look great.

[Alicat]

Hi OM.

I have just googled about gourds. and found this:-

www.rbgkew.org.uk/collections/ecbot/Gourds.htm

Its from Kew gardens.
As 'gardenhammerette' said they are only for decorative puposes. But it does make interesting reading.

Alicat.

[Rosefriend]

Hi OM

Well I just wish that I was in your neighbourhood - my neighbours and I would take every single one off you hands. Yes we use them for show - but they are expensive so unless one of us grows them - well we have to buy them. Here in Germany we nearly always have a wreath on the door (different ones for all the 4 seasons) and on the door step there is always something seasonal.

For Autumn we would choose - gourds, pine cones, conkers, heathers etc. It really does look nice. Even Pansies - they are a plant that are used here only for Spring and Autumn. We never have summer pansies.

So OM now you now what to do with your gourds.!!!

Rosefriend

[Alicat]

gardenhammerette said:

Sadly they are only decorative and of no culinary use even though they are related to courgette and squash. Is there a harvest festival at a church near you, I bet they'd ,love them for a display. Or perhaps a local flower arranger who could use them in a display

Sorry if I have disappointed, but they do look great.

Just a thought....
You could also try local schools too. Sometimes they put displays in thier reception area. Or do havest festivals.
Another thought is.....
How about trying to sell them to local florists or veg shops. (I dont Know how much you would charge though)
Or give to charity shops to sell for harvest & halloween ( if they will keep that long.)
It seems such a waste to let them rot.

Sorry, Just had a silly idea...
You could give them out to trick or treaters that come knocking on your door. ;D ;D

[Deleted]

You could make little side salad bowls out of them, each one would be unique and a talking point.