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Last Updated: Feb 21st, 2010 - 16:33:14
Grow Your Own Birdhouse
By Jackie Carroll
Apr 17, 2008, 22:28
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Grow Your
Own Birdhouse
by Jackie Carroll
Bottle gourds (Lagenaria
siceraria) are easy to grow on fences or trellises, and once
dried they make an ideal home for purple martins, swallows, chickadees
and wrens. Besides bringing beauty and interest to your home,
these birds will eat thousands of insects each day.
Although gourds can
be grown in hills as you would grow squash and pumpkin, gourds
that are left lying on the ground will flatten on one side and
may be susceptible to rot. If you prefer to grow them in hills,
try providing several inches of hay as a mulch to keep the gourds
off the ground. Bottle gourds will tolerate a light frost, so
allow them to dry on the vine as long as possible. Once harvested,
they will need a cool, dry place to complete the drying process.
They are completely dry when you can hear the seeds rattle inside
when you shake them. This may take several months.
To fashion you birdhouse,
drill a hole 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Smaller holes will
accommodate small birds such as wrens, while a larger hole will
allow larger birds such as martins to take up residence. You should
also drill a few tiny holes in the bottom of the gourd for drainage.
Drill two holes in the top, and thread a cord through them. Now
your birdhouse is ready to hang. It will last up to two years
untreated, or you can varnish the gourd for a longer lasting birdhouse.
About
the Author:
Jackie Carroll is the editor of GardenGuides.com, a leading internet
destination from gardening information and ideas. Visit
GardenGuides.com or subscribe to Perennial
Gardening News to have the latest articles and information from
GardenGuides.com delivered to you every week To subscribe send
any email to
join-perennials@lists.gardenguides.com.
© Copyright 2008 by Classbrain.com
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