How to Save Gourds
Don’t throw out your gourds when you are ready to decorate for Christmas. Save them!
I put mine on sheets of newspapers in my basement and let them dry until the next fall. I usually end up with a few that rot and those get composted. I’m always pleasantly surprised at how many dry and at the color that they retain.
I didn’t buy gourds in the fall of 2008. I used some crazy volunteers from my garden for decorating.
Here’s what they looked like on October 10, 2009 after drying for a year in my basement.
Not so great, huh???
It gets better!
Put them in the sink and wash them with a sponge. I sometimes use an old nail brush to scrub really yucky places.
All clean! After they dry, give the gourds a light coat of Future Liquid Floor Polish with a sponge brush.
Look at those rich colors!
Now get busy and decorate!
I put some in a SL@h basket. I didn’t like them in this location, so I moved them, but look at those colors. 
I like this basket much better on my screened porch. 
The rest of the 2008 dried gourds went into an old wooden bowl. Wooden bowls are perfect for gourds this time of year.
Read my post from last fall on this very subject for more details on saving gourds from year to year.
Thanks for the pictorial, Paula. This post makes me want to grow gourds! I wish they didn’t take up so much space. Mr. Brown Socks doesn’t like it so much when I try to take over HIS garden! 🙂
Donna
Paula, wow what beautiful colors! I didn’t have a clue how to save gourds. Thanks for the lesson.
Great tutorial, Paula! 🙂 I wish I had a basement (or garage!) to do this. 🙂
Thank you so much, I had no idea. In fact, when I’ve tried to save them & they got the fuzzy bits on them, I just assumed that they weren’t keep-able & tossed them. I’m glad to know that all it takes is some scrubbing & floor polish (floor polish — who knew??).
Wow, I love it, what a clever idea! Stop by for a visit soon.
Michelle
Great tip. I will feature it on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
omg! interesting, I’m off to read last years post!
*hugs*deb