Let’s begin with a bushel-basket full of thanks to everyone who helped in any way with the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society Fall Plant and Bulb Sale: to the gardeners who contributed plants, to the workers who set up, worked at, and completed the sale; and of course, all our gardening customers who support us! It’s always great to see each and every one of you, especially our regular customers who come out to each sale! I hope you all found some garden treasures!
Of the many gifts from the garden over the summer, one of the plants that shouts out “Happy Fall” or “Happy Thanksgiving” is the ornamental gourd. Who can resist mounding a pile of cheery gourds in a basket as part of a fall decoration, or setting them on the step to greet visitors? I love the bright and unique look of every one of them! The more unique the better!
Did you know that you can dry these gourds? Each year a dear friend of our always gifts us with a few gourds for our Thanksgiving table, and I always keep them. Just as I was making a cup of tea to sit down with you, I looked at last year’s gourds, and they are amazing!
It is very easy to dry gourds. Whether you are harvesting your own, or trying to save gourds from the store, there are some easy tips to remember.
If you are harvesting your own, wait until as long as possible to take them from the vine. Wait until the vines dry up, and then cut the gourds off the vine, leaving at least two inches of stem on each gourd. It is preferable to do this one a dry day. Brush off any soil or dust, and if they are really dirty you can wash them gently then pat dry.
Next, put the gourds on a tray or screen, and set them in an area with good air circulation.
Turn hem every week or so to make sure they are drying evenly. We had our gourds in a flat cardboard box downstairs. It is important to check the gourds: not every gourd will make it to the drying stage; some will begin to spoil (check for soft mushy spots) and must be tossed out.
If you see the gourd beginning to develop a thin coat of mold, don’t panic! This is a good sign! It tells you that moisture is leaving the gourd and it is on its way through the drying process.
Be patient: the gourds take a long time to dry, six months or more. You’ll be able to tell when they are completely dry by the way they feel: they become very light and you might even hear the seeds rattling around inside. At this time, you can either gently wipe or sand the mold off the gourd: handle them carefully because they are delicate. Do not wash them. Remember that the gourds will not look the same as they did when you began the drying process. The colors will fade, and the shape may change as they dehydrate.
But they are beautiful in their own way, with gentle antique colors and unusual shapes. If you are feeling especially crafty you might want to spray them with copper or gold metallic paint, or even use acrylic paint in your favorite color. For myself, I prefer the natural, faded look: the only thing I sometimes do is tie a colored ribbon around the stems.
Gourds are a garden gift that keeps on giving!
The next meeting of the hort society is on Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m. at SIGN on North Street. The topic will be “Sharing From The Garden” with helpful hints and advice from members. Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca
Enjoy the fall beauty of your garden: have a great week!
