Dan's Papers - October 26, 2007

Ok, so, you've missed the growing season for gourds. They are a warm season crop and take an entire season to mature. They would have had to been planted in early spring right after the last frost. Even better, they could have been started four weeks earlier indoors and set outside after all dangers of frost were past. This doesn't mean you are going to miss out on picking them up at your local nursery or even your local supermarket in the produce section. You can find them hanging out usually with the pumpkins and squashes.

They are compact with lovely designs that tempt your imagination to no end. They have funny little bumps, warts and groves on them along with the greatest mix of fall colors and designs. As with pumpkins, discard the ones with any soft spots because they are deteriorating from the inside out. They can be dried shortly after harvest which will harden and preserve them for use in decorations and crafts. There are several varieties to choose from; the Bule (say boo-lay) gourd, which is a French Heirloom variety, shaped sort of like an apple with warts and dries very well. Another is the Birdhouse Gourd or the Bottle Gourd, rounded at the bottom, with a long bird -like neck. These are great for what they are named for, making birdhouses. Story goes that the Indians found these gourds, when cleaned out, dried and hung up, Martins birds would nest in them and reduce the insect population of their village The Tobacco box gourds grow from 4 inches all the way up to about 10 inches and are a nice blonde color, very neutral for any designs you may want to paint on them.

They are also great for carving. Then there is the Long Curly Dipper gourd which is just a snake like plant that lets your imagination run wild when designing. The Chinese Mini-bottle gourd which is from 2-4 inches wide, is the perfect shape for creating a winter snowman. All these gourds can be painted and embellished in any way.

The smaller, colorful ones are at home nestled in a large wooden bowl or another large cut gourd. Try surrounding them with some artificial or real fall leaves or vines. They can be placed in groupings on a hall table welcoming guests or on your dining table with a vase of fall leaves. A little bowl in the bathroom pulls the fall spirit in. Try a bowl or basket on the floor of the kitchen with some carved gourds and perhaps some differently shaped pine cones.

Make cute little figures with the kids. Wash and dry the gourds of your choice. They can be hot glued to stay together. Stack them with some leaves between the body parts and keep steady by inserting toothpicks on both sides of the 'body'. Get some pine needles to make funny shaped hairstyles. If you find them wobbly, add nutshells to the bottom as feet to stabilize them. These fanciful little folks will put a new face on decorating for the season.

Let your imagination run wild and be a little creative. Gourds are the perfect medium for having fun right into the winter.