I leave last season ’s bumper crop of birdhouse gourd vine out in the field to cure . Periodically , I ventured into the cold to turn each one , afford them equal exposure to the elements and the sun . With every freeze and thaw , more of their outer skins moult forth .
As they naturally dried , they also became much more lightweight .
Before I knew it , they were ready to bring inside for their next transformation . In just a few stride , some of these gourds would be ready to put up area wench . Whether you ’ve turn your own supply or you get gourds from another grower , you could follow these instructions to turn a birdhouse gourd into a proper birdhouse .
The Right Gourd for a Birdhouse
The distinctive birdhouse ( or bottle ) gourd has a small top bedchamber and a larger bottom chamber . These two chambers are joined together by a narrow “ cervix . ” For effective results , you should choose a birdhouse calabash with a bottom sleeping room that ’s at least 8 to 10 inches wide . ( This is the division of your gourd vine that will accommodate nesting birds and their young . )
Your calabash should also be completely dry and cured . In other words ? Its water content has had fourth dimension to vaporize whole . The gourd ’s forbidden layer of hide also should have fallen off to reveal its hard , inner shell .
Read more : Grow your own gourd for variety in the garden !
Getting Started
If your gourd vine still has some of its exterior layers , you ’ll need to remove these and carefully strip your calabash . Although Mother Nature did most of my cleansing work for me , I lightly scrubbed the surface of the gourd with dampened sword wool . ( See figure footstep 1 in the image below . )
This removes any residual off-the-wall dapple and can help to even out very grim spots .
In my case , I happen to like a natural - count birdhouse — dark splotches and all . But you’re able to lighten up Earth’s surface stains by sandpaper them with all right - grit sandpaper . lay your gourd vine out in shiny sunshine will also serve to sun - decolor its outside .
The Hole Story
In part , the size of it of the entrance hole in your gourd birdhouse dictate which type of pit - draw close birds come calling . Hoping to appeal black - capped chickadees , I used a 1 1/4 - inch drill mo . ( Many Sir Christopher Wren also like this sizing . )
Want to pull in majestic martins or drink ? They prefer larger entryways . You ’ll want to use a 2 - inch bit for Martin and a 1 1/2 - column inch second for swallows .
Before I drilled the entree yap , I held my gourd vine up by its stem to see how it want to attend . I noticed that one side of the gourd ’s low-down tooth decay naturally faced up and forth . work with the gourd ’s inclination to fall this way , I chose this side to locate the entranceway . You ’ll need to drill your own entrance somewhat above the center cable on one side of your birdhouse gourd ’s lower bedchamber . ( See icon footmark 2 , above . )
At this point , it ’s simple to take out the seed and remain dust from inside the gourd . However , this is optional . I chose to withdraw this stuff , because I ’ll be planting the saved seeds . ( See ikon Step 3 . )
It ’s deserving noting that most birds are absolutely uncoerced to do this strip - up on their own .
For step 4 and 5 , you ’ll need a 1/8 - column inch drill bit . First , with the entrance hole facing you , note the localization of thesidesof the birdhouse . On both the left and correct side , measure at least 1 inch below the top of the gourd vine . exercise one hole on the unexpended side and another on the right . ( See image Step 4 . )
Along the bottom of the calabash , practise a series of three to five drain holes . ( See figure Step 5 . )
Read more : Clean your gourd effectively and safely for use .
Hanger Time
Next , straighten out an old coat hanger and snip a couple of in of surplus off of both end . Then , feed the wire into one of the two holes that you drilled into the gourd ’s top chamber . Continue pushing the wire so that it passes through the gourd vine and out of opposite cakehole . ( See image Steps 6 and 7 . )
Taking care not to break or break up the top of the gourd vine in the mental process , twist the wire ends together so that they form a hook or loop .
Finishing Touches
To help protect it , I pick out to seal off my birdhouse with light acrylic spray . ( See image footstep 8 . ) You may need pick out to prime and paint your gourd birdhouse instead — particularly if you intend to attract purple martins . ( Purple martinsseem to care clusters of cavity nests that are paint white . )
If you intend to house chickadee , hang your gourd birdhouse in a wooded region near a clearing . For martins and swallow , position birdhouses high-pitched up in the outdoors .
