Erica Groneman + photo

Erica Groneman

Jun 14
2 min read
bubble 0
Bird sitting on a branch

My family loves watching birds in our backyard. We have several hummingbird feeders and other birdfeeders placed strategically throughout the yard. Have you ever made a gourd birdhouse or birdfeeder? It’s a simple and fun craft for people of all ages, especially kids.

How to make your own gourd birdhouse from start to finish:

  1. Plant your Birdhouse Gourd Seeds according to the planting instructions.
  2. Let your gourds mature on the vines as long as possible, then harvest and store over the winter.
  3. After the gourds are completely hard and dry, mark a point in the center of the gourd where you want to put the hole. The hole should not point up or down, so try to get it in a center space.
  4. Use a hole saw to drill a hole 1 ½” to 2 ½” in diameter. The size of hole you drill can influence which birds your birdhouse attracts. To make a bird feeder instead of a birdhouse, drill two holes opposite each other instead of just one hole.
  5. Use a spoon or knife to carefully remove the seeds and insides from inside the gourd.
  6. Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill two holes on the top of your gourd to use to hang the birdhouse.
  7. Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill two or three holes on the bottom of the gourd to allow for drainage.
  8. Cut twine to the desired length then thread through the top holes and tie. Alternatively you could use wire instead of twine on this step.
  9. Wash, clean, and dry your gourd.
  10. If desired, paint the birdhouse with acrylic paint then spray to seal.
  11. Hang the birdhouse and wait for a new feathered friend to move in!

Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0 Comments

No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation

  1. Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Sauceassorted tomatoes sitting in front of an instant pot

    Instant Pot Fresh Tomato Sauce

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Ingredients 2 Pounds Fresh Tomatoes 1 Large Onion 1 Large Red Bell Pepper 1 Large Carrot 6 Cloves Garlic 1 Tbsp Dried Oregano 1 Tbsp Dried Basil 2 Tbsp Salt 2 Tbsp Honey (or sugar) Instructions 1. Wash, remove the tops, and cu...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-09-03
    3 min read
    bubble 0
  2. Digging Deeper: The Essentials of Soil Compositioncarrots growing in rich soil

    Digging Deeper: The Essentials of Soil Composition

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Understanding the composition of your soil is key to understanding your garden and succeeding as a grower. The best soils for growing nearly any plant are loamy soils. Loam is a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, which is c...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-08-20
    5 min read
    bubble 0
  3. 2024 Scholarship Winner - Taqdeer Gill - Unlocking the Benefits of Summer Cover Cropsfarmers hands holding dirt

    2024 Scholarship Winner - Taqdeer Gill - Unlocking the Benefits of Summer Cover Crops

    Written By Taqdeer Gill Cover crops are plants grown to improve both the soil health and ecosystem sustainability. They are usually planted between the growing seasons of the main crops when the soil would otherwise be left bare. According to the Susta...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-08-06
    9 min read
    bubble 0
  4. 50 Years of Growing - Celebrating Our RootsDemo the founder of Mountain Valley Seed Co. on a tractor

    50 Years of Growing - Celebrating Our Roots

    True Leaf Market’s roots go back to 1974, when our founder Demetrios Agathangelides started Mountain Valley Seed Company. Mountain Valley Seeds was originally a mail-order seed company focused on providing seeds to those in the Intermountain West. It h...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2024-07-30
    9 min read
    bubble 3