To grow gorgeous, utilitarian hard-shell gourds, you've got to start now. Here's how: • Start seeds mid-March to April. Before planting, nick seed with a knife on the bumps on the flat end. Rub ...

"Gourds in Your Garden" ($19.95, Hillway Press, www.gingersummit.com) by Ginger Summitt; "The Complete Book of Gourd Craft" ($18.95, Hillway Press) by Ginger Summitt and Jim Widess; "The Compleat ...

Gourds have donned our tables for decades, but they were rediscovered by younger generations after the publication of the 2009 McSweeney’s piece “It’s Decorative Gourd Season, Motherfuckers.

Tips to dry gourds: - After harvest, remove the soil and soil bacteria by wiping with a cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. For extra-dirty gourds, wash in warm, soapy water and rinse in clean water ...

Swan, dipper, and penguin gourds are also bottle-type gourds. I’ve heard that they’re edible when very small and immature, but I haven’t had the chance to confirm this myself.