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 fertiliser when they begin to blossom and set fruits.
Spacing
Single Plants: 90cm (2' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 90cm (2' 11") with 90cm (2' 11") row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in late spring or early summer, either in rows or mounds. Also may be started from seedlings started indoors or purchased at stores.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized 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
Some gourds such as luffas rarely fruit well in northern latitudes.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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