from the ground up
Grow A Birdhouse: For Yourself, Your Friends and Winged Neighbors
By Allison Tjaden
I don’ t feed the birds because they need me; I feed the birds because I need them.
- kathi hutton
Our life at Bluebird Farmstead in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve can sometimes take on a fairy-tale quality. Three years ago, a neighbor gave me a bag of seeds— magic seeds! These seeds grew birdhouse gourds with vines so long they could lead to a castle in the sky. But, instead of leading me to a giant, these seeds helped me learn to better appreciate and care for wild birds. With patience, you can grow your own birdhouses and have plenty to share with family and friends.
n Start in the Garden
Find your birdhouse gourd seeds from a fellow gardener, garden shop, or online. After the danger of frost is over in the spring( for us- that is early April), plant the gourd seeds directly in the garden. The most important lesson I learned over a couple seasons of growing is that you need to have enough space or a large enough trellis or fence for the gourds to climb. More space than you think.
Throughout the summer and fall, the vines will climb, beautiful white flowers will bloom, and gourds will grow— and grow! Last season, the gourds took over the entire back fence of the garden. It was a beautiful green and white wall.
When fall comes, the gourds begin to turn tan or light brown. Don’ t rush harvesting them. You will know the gourds are ready when you shake them and can hear the seeds inside. Before the major frost arrives( for us, that is late October or early November), harvest them even if they are not all dry, leaving four inches of the stem attached.
During the winter, finish the drying process inside in a dry space with good air circulation. I placed ours on wire shelves in the garage and basement. Whether out in the garden or on a drying shelf, they will grow some mold which can be wiped away or sanded off after drying.
n Make the Birdhouse
When the seeds are rattling inside the gourds, it is time to turn them into birdhouses. Wear a mask when working on this part of the project and goggles when drilling. Start by wiping away any dust or mold on the exterior of the gourds. Then, sand the outside of the gourds to get them smooth.
plenty I spring 2026 21