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Guaranteed to Grow
Easy to Grow
Heirloom

Nest Egg Gourd

Quick Facts:

  • Very old heirloom variety
  • Used to train hens to lay in their boxes
  • Productive to the point of absurdity
  • Round, white, egg-shaped gourds
  • Easy-to-grow; Great for children's gardens

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Quantity: Packet (25 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Nest Egg Gourd

More about Nest Egg

Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera

Nest Egg Gourd is one of those old-fashioned heirlooms that is both practical and fun to grow.  Once common on late-19th and early-20th-century farms, these vigorous vines were often trained along fences, where they produced astonishing numbers of smooth, white, egg-shaped gourds—so convincing they look like freshly gathered eggs piled in a bowl.

And convincing they are. We learned that firsthand when one hill yielded hundreds of gourds in a single season. That summer, we had young hens just coming into lay, and we used these “eggs” to train them to use their nesting boxes instead of, say, an upturned bucket in the darkest corner of the barn. They worked perfectly—so well, in fact, th... More

Less

Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera

Nest Egg Gourd is one of those old-fashioned heirlooms that is both practical and fun to grow.  Once common on late-19th and early-20th-century farms, these vigorous vines were often trained along fences, where they produced astonishing numbers of smooth, white, egg-shaped gourds—so convincing they look like freshly gathered eggs piled in a bowl.

And convincing they are. We learned that firsthand when one hill yielded hundreds of gourds in a single season. That summer, we had young hens just coming into lay, and we used these “eggs” to train them to use their nesting boxes instead of, say, an upturned bucket in the darkest corner of the barn. They worked perfectly—so well, in fact, that we fooled ourselves more than once, thinking we’d found the first eggs from the new flock.

Come fall, that one hill yielded the most fruitful Easter Egg hunt ever, with each kid lugging in a huge basketful of gourds to be dried and later used for crafts.  I'm still finding them—behind the couch, under beds—I guess the egg hunt is mine now.  Anyway, if you are looking for a rare heirloom that is practical, productive, and so much fun to grow, Nest Egg Gourd is a great pick. 

Seed stock generously shared with us by renowned seed preservationist, John Coykendall.  Seed savers please take note that this variety is of the species C. pepo and should be isolated from pumpkins, zucchini, etc. when grown for seed. Approximately 90 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.

Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera

Nest Egg Gourd is one of those old-fashioned heirlooms that is both practical and fun to grow.  Once common on late-19th and early-20th-century farms, these vigorous vines were often trained along fences, where they produced astonishing numbers of smooth, white, egg-shaped gourds—so convincing they look like freshly gathered eggs piled in a bowl.

And convincing they are. We learned that firsthand when one hill yielded hundreds of gourds in... read more

read less

Cucurbita pepo var. ovifera

Nest Egg Gourd is one of those old-fashioned heirlooms that is both practical and fun to grow.  Once common on late-19th and early-20th-century farms, these vigorous vines were often trained along fences, where they produced astonishing numbers of smooth, white, egg-shaped gourds—so convincing they look like freshly gathered eggs piled in a bowl.

And convincing they are. We learned that firsthand when one hill yielded hundreds of gourds in a single season. That summer, we had young hens just coming into lay, and we used these “eggs” to train them to use their nesting boxes instead of, say, an upturned bucket in the darkest corner of the barn. They worked perfectly—so well, in fact, that we fooled ourselves more than once, thinking we’d found the first eggs from the new flock.

Come fall, that one hill yielded the most fruitful Easter Egg hunt ever, with each kid lugging in a huge basketful of gourds to be dried and later used for crafts.  I'm still finding them—behind the couch, under beds—I guess the egg hunt is mine now.  Anyway, if you are looking for a rare heirloom that is practical, productive, and so much fun to grow, Nest Egg Gourd is a great pick. 

Seed stock generously shared with us by renowned seed preservationist, John Coykendall.  Seed savers please take note that this variety is of the species C. pepo and should be isolated from pumpkins, zucchini, etc. when grown for seed. Approximately 90 days to harvest.  Each packet contains a minimum of 25 seeds.

How to Grow Gourds

Gourds prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. and full sun exposure for at least 6-8 hours a day. The soil should be rich in organic matter and watered regularly, but not waterlogged. Gourds are also heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilization with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Growing gourds on a trellis can improve circulation and reduce soil contact of the fruit, both of which can reduce disease prevalence, however vines grown in this manner will require more frequent watering.

After danger of frost has passed, sow seeds in hills with 4-5 seeds per hill and hills spaced 6ft in all directions.  Germination will occur in 7-14 days.  Once seeds have germinated, thin to 3 seedlings per hill.  In short season climates, plants can be started indoors and transplanted after danger of frost has passed. 

Prepare the soil by loosening it and incorporating organic matter. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the gourd seedling. Carefully remove the seedling from its container, being careful not to damage the fragile roots. Place the seedling in the hole and fill in with soil, firming it gently around the base of the plant. Water the seedling thoroughly to help settle the soil and remove any air pockets.

Insect Pests

Common insect pests that can affect gourds include squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and vine borers. Squash bugs can cause wilting and yellowing of leaves, while cucumber beetles can transmit diseases and cause damage to the fruit. Vine borers can bore into the stems of the gourd plant, causing wilting and death of the plant. Regular inspection and management, including cultural practices such as crop rotation and the use of physical barriers, as well as the use of insecticides when necessary, can help control these pests and prevent damage to the gourd crop.

Diseases & Other Problems

Gourds can be susceptible to various diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, and bacterial wilt, which can cause stunted growth, wilting, and reduced yield. Other problems that can affect gourds include poor pollination, which can result in misshapen or poorly developed fruit, and fruit rot, which can occur due to fungal infections or damage to the fruit. To prevent these problems, it is important to provide proper care, including regular watering and fertilization, as well as sanitation practices such as removing diseased plant material and properly disposing of it.

To harvest gourds, wait until the stem has turned brown and the fruit has reached its full size and color. Cut the stem carefully, leaving at least an inch attached to the fruit. Clean the gourd with a solution of 10% bleach and water to remove any dirt or bacteria. Allow the gourd to dry for 1-2 weeks in a well-ventilated, dry area, turning it occasionally to promote even drying. Once the gourd is fully dry, it can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. If the gourd is not fully mature or has any damage or soft spots, it is best to discard it as it may not dry properly or may be more prone to rot. Proper harvesting and storage practices are crucial for maintaining the quality and longevity of the gourd crop.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Gourds are outcrossing plants with pollination being performed predominantly by bees and other insects. Therefore plants to be used for seed production should be isolated from other varieties of the same species by at least one-quarter mile.

HARVESTING SEED:

To save seeds from gourds, allow the fruit to fully mature and dry on the vine until the skin has turned brown and the fruit feels lightweight and hollow. Cut the gourd open and remove the seeds, being careful to separate them from the pulp and other plant material. Rinse the seeds in a strainer to remove any remaining pulp and spread them out on a paper towel or screen to dry completely. Once the seeds are fully dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Gourd seeds can maintain 50% viability for up to 6 years under proper storage conditions.

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