I recently bought an apple gourd at a farm stand. In the Spring, I hope to make a new bird house out of it for smaller songbirds. The penny in the photograph will give you a sense of scale as to how large an apple gourd grows.
I found good information on How to Dry Large Gourds, but instead of drying for a week on newspapers, I am using a piece of bath scrunchy. (Bath scrunchies are made up of a tube of nylon netting.) I knotted the bottom of the tube, slipped the gourd inside, tied a knotted loop at the top, and hung the gourd on a porch hook. The weather is supposed to be warm next week, suspending the gourd will give the entire skin a chance to dry out.
When the first drying time is complete, I will bring the gourd indoors, wash in disinfectant, and hang it once again, this time in the dark basement. Hopefully, near Springtime, the gourd will be completely dry and ready to craft into a bird house. Large gourds of all types are widely available at this time of year in farmer’s markets and produce stands.
MINDING MY P'S WITH Q 
What a clever idea! I love it!
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Thanks…I can’t wait to see how long it will take to dry out.
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Do let us know!
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I will do that…maybe an update as it starts to dry, and then a final update when I create, or at least attempt to create a bird house.
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Have you made the sparrow house from this gourd, Kathy ? Do share.
Susie
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No, oh my Susie, this is another project that did not bear fruit. When I soaked the gourd and began to rub off the withered skin, the gourd collapsed in one area. The spot was to large to use as a opening for the entranceway so I didn’t continue with it. I’m not having very good luck am I? God is good to me though, and there is always another project calling to me. Perhaps the next one will be the one that meets my expectations.
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Maybe a fresher gourd. A new one perhaps ? Try with a new one, Kathy. After all it is the season for newness.
Susie
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Yes, that might work. I wonder if mine hadn’t dried long enough, or if soaking it to remove the seeds and skin made it too soft again.
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Maybe. Try a pumpkin too- maybe the birds will like it .
Susie
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That’s an idea. 🙂
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And oh Susie, neither one of my avocado pits is sprouting yet…I’m not giving up quite yet though. How is yours doing?
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No hope on the horizon for me too !
I am saddened that one of my outdoor stray cats Chunnu Munnu, the one I literally saved last year by hand feeding is not doing too well- not feeding or coming when called. I am afraid we are losing her. I don’t like cats even a bit but this really is breaking my heart. Please pray for her.
Susie
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I will Susie, I love cats…I hope she will recover.
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