GOURDS FROM THE GARDEN
MAY 2004 NEWSLETTER
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!
I want to take this month's issue to personally thank my mother, for whom I
couldn't do all that I do if it wasn't for her. She's always been there for me
and been my best supporter and my best friend. Raising me since the age of
4, when my father past away was no easy task and I truly admire her for it.
A mother is she who can take the
place of all others but whose place
no one else can take.
WHAT'S NEW THIS MONTH
STAMPIN' ON A GOURD
With the tons of stamps I've seemed to
accumulate over the years, it finally
dawned on me (thanks to Bebee
Goddard, a sweet friend) to try them
with the ornie kits, these are some of
my first products, but for folks who
don't care to paint, this might be an
option. Click here to order finish ornie,
or here for kit to make your own.
Another new addition to the site is the
pumpkin necklaces,
click here to order. I
must admit getting
ready for Cherokee &
getting gourds planted
this month there isn't
much new. I hope to come home with
new inspiration.
I've gone a little crazy
with strawberries this
month, this was an old
birdbath I had done
that needed repainting.
You can click photo to
enlarge
SPECIAL OF THE ISSUE
This month's special is on raw
gourds, your choice of the small
bottle shaped, perfect for snowmen, or the
small cannon ball (or I call hershey kiss).
Already cleaned and ready to go. 3 for
$15 includes priority shipping charges.
Choose below:
NEEDLE NEWS
In March, the North Carolina
Basket maker's had their annual
convention, and even though I
wasn't able to attend I received
their booklet of info and wished I
had. They had posted some
photo's of their grand event on
their website if you'd like to check
them out click here. Even some
gourds brought home some
ribbons-congrat's to the winners.
Also, for those who are not aware
of the Pine Needle Group on the
web. It's great source of info. You
can click here to check it out.
Pamela Zimmerman does a
wonderful job of maintaining the
info.
NO LONGER ON SALE!
STILL AVAILABLE
PAINTING TIPS
Highlighting a project is usually one of the last steps in painting a project. Always
highlight your object where the light source would hit it. You may want to get this
effect with several different (thin) layers of paint, gradually lightening the area. I
really like the method of dry brushing. Which is taking a scruffy brush the
approperiate size dip into your paint and wipe most of the paint off, then in a
circular motion gently highlight your area.
Spattering is another of my favorites and I use it on as many pieces as possible. It
is the very last thing I do before I varnish a piece. I use an old scruffy brush, but a
toothbrush works well too. Dilute your paint with water and dip the brush into it.
Use your finger to pull the bristles back and spatter onto your project. Be sure it is
completely dry before applying the varnish
GOURDING TIPS OF THE MONTH
LET THE SEASON BEGIN TRY CONTAINER GROWING
For many of us, May is the month to get those seeds in the ground. All chances
of frost are gone. (Thank goodness). I know a lot of people don't have the room
that I do for growing gourds but they would still like to try their hand at it. I must
suggest that they try growing a few in containers. I've had very good luck with
container grown gourds and think you would too. What have you got to lose, go
for it!!!
I have grown gourds in containers for several years and have used anything and
everything for a container, such as old wash tubs, clay pots, plastic pots. You
name it. So you don't have to fuss about the container you use. I was told that
clay pots absorb more of the moisture, so if you are going to purchase pots go
with plastic or metal, however, if you already have clay use them. I would
suggest if growing in the containers you pick one of the smaller varieties such as
the mini bottle, banana, or egg gourds. They don't take as long to mature
(90-120 days), but the vines still get very long.
These are just some guidelines to get you started. Take a 10" pot and plant 3-4
seeds about 1 1/2" deep in the soil and water well. Place the pot in a sunny
warm spot. Within
2 weeks you should have sprouts. (some will be quicker and some longer). The
warmer the seeds get the faster they sprout. Let the sprouts get two good leaves
on them before you transplant. You should only leave 1-2 plants. If your
container is bigger, say the size of a wash tub you could get away with a couple
more plants.
Place your container in a place where the gourds can grow up the side of a
building, on a trellis, even up a tree if it will still receive sun light. If nothing else
place a tall stake in the ground for them to grow up. You don't have to do this,
but otherwise you will have to mow or step around gourd vines in your yard.
There are many opinions on what type of fertilizer to use with gourds, but a
general all around good one is 10-10-10. You can fertilize your gourd plants
every 3 weeks or so, but toward the end of the growing season you will stop.
When the plants reach 8-10 feet some people snip the main vine to encourage
side vines which produce the gourds. That's a matter of preference. I do some,
and some I don't. Just be sure to water these container gourds, as they will dry
out quickly in the hot summer sun. If it hasn't rained on them, water them once a
day. To help deter bugs I use Sevin dust which can be found at your local
garden shop and even hardware store.
As you enjoy your gourds growing, know that the smaller gourd varieties don't
take as long to mature, but please don't harvest them too soon. I know it will look
bad and you will want to, but wait until the stem of the actual gourd is brown,
which will probably be the last part of the vine to die.
I hope this will inspire some of you to give it a shot. Gourds are a lot of fun to
grow
and just think, you can say 'I did it."
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. This was only intended
to be a brief overview of growing gourds.
Best of luck to you all!!!
