Drying and Preserving Decorative Gourds

Discover the secrets to harvesting and drying your gourds before the first frost with tips from Marie-Luce Merlet from Jardins du Gué in France. Follow her advice to ensure excellent preservation of your decorative gourds without them spoiling over the winter.

*Step 1: Harvesting*
Pick your gourds when the stem is dry for better conservation. Timing is crucial; a mistimed harvest could jeopardize the entire process!

*Step 2: Storage and Drying*
Marie-Luce recommends placing the gourds in a veranda in October. Arrange them on benches or tables, avoid stacking them, and turn them regularly for even drying. Keep the temperature at 15°C and ensure good ventilation if humidity is high.

*Drying Duration*
Complete drying can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. You'll know they're dry when they make a seed-rattling sound. If they still feel heavy, they need more drying time.

*Gourd Varieties and Their Characteristics*
**Calabashes**: Easy and quick to dry, ideal for beginners.
**'Devil's Claw' and 'Curved Neck'**: These intriguing varieties require special care.
**Gourds and 'Snake' Gourds**: Shape varies depending on whether they're grown hanging or on the ground.

*Drying Sensitive Fruits*
Some delicate fruits like 'Turban squashes' and patty pans need special attention. Dry these in a boiler room at 20°C and rotate them daily or hang them for the best results.

Learn these techniques and give your gourds a new life with long-lasting natural decorations!