Gourd

Basic Information

Seed Number

73

Seed Name

Gourd

Variety

Ornamental Mix

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Cucurbitaceae

Plant Type

Mixed ornamental gourd (primarily Cucurbita pepo types)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 21

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June

Indoor Start

Apr 21 – May 1

Direct Sow

May 19 – Jun 15

Transplant

May 19 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

2 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

2 weeks

Germination Days

7–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

100–130 days

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-90°F

Planting Depth

1/2-3/4 in

Plant Spacing

24-36 in

Row Spacing

5-6 ft

Thin-To Spacing

24-36 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

At least 1 in/week; soak soil deeply and maintain regular moisture during fruit development

Soil Preference

Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; approximately pH 6.0-6.5

Minimum Container Size

best in ground/trellis

Plant Height

Vining

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

No

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow after frost or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 20 – Jun 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 90–120 days
Container Friendly: Small gourds possible; best in ground/trellis
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Ornamental/craft
Succession / Reusable Notes: Grow on a sturdy trellis or along edges if space is tight.
Zone 6B Notes: Needs a long warm season; earlier is better.
Companion Plants: Corn, beans, sunflowers, nasturtiums, marigolds, calendula
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Potatoes, crowded beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors about 2-4 weeks before warm-weather planting or direct sow after soil reaches at least 65°F. Long-season components should be planted promptly in Southeast Michigan.
Germination: Warm soil is essential. Avoid damaging roots when transplanting young cucurbits.
Harvest: Harvest mature ornamental gourds before a hard freeze after fruits have developed full color and hardened skins. Cure in a warm, dry, ventilated location.
Seed Saving: Ornamental mixes often contain several open-pollinated Cucurbita pepo forms that readily cross with each other and with compatible squash or pumpkins. Bag and hand-pollinate if saving a particular type true to form.
Special Care: Commercial Ornamental Mix packets vary in their exact component varieties, shapes and sizes, so one mature height or fruit size cannot be assigned reliably.
Research Source: Sow True Seed — https://sowtrueseed.com/products/gourd-seeds-small-ornamental-mix — Cucurbita pepo ornamental mix identity, included shapes and seed-saving cross-pollination warning
Research Source: Seeds 'n Such — https://seedsnsuch.com/products/large-and-small-ornamental-mix-gourd-seeds — 100-130 day maturity, direct/transplant sowing, 1/2-inch depth and 24-36 inch spacing
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/pumpkins-and-winter-squash — 65°F soil requirement, late-May planting, water needs, soil pH and vine-crop culture
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]