| Bushel Gourds Bushel gourds are basically slightly flattened round gourds. Some varieties can grow to be very large, while others are medium sized. They make perfect bowls and baskets. They also make nice bird feeders, lidded boxes, lamp bases/shades, anything round. Our bushel gourds are represented in most price ranges, with very few being small/$2.00, most being medium/$3.00 or large/$5.00 and some x-lge/$7.00 |
| Kettle Gourds Kettle gourds are somewhere between bushel gourds and martin house gourds. Almost everyone has a different idea of what a kettle gourd looks like. My original idea of a kettle gourd was similiar to a martin house but with a shorter fatter neck-almost flying saucer shapped. In my 2003 crop (pictured here) my kettles look more like a cross between bottles and bushels, so if you are purchasing kettle gourds sight unseen, make sure you and the vendor are talking about the same thing. However, the top portion looks, the bottom part is round and slightly flattened, so they make good bowls and vessels. They are my favorite gourd for making into bird feeders. We offer kettle gourds in all size/price ranges but most are medium/$3.00-large/$5.00. |
Mini-Bottle Gourds Mini-bottles are hour glass shaped gourds 2"-5" tall. They make wonderful figures that can be used as ornaments. They are also good for making mini bowls, vases, etc. Our mini-bottle gourds are priced at 75 cent each or 12/$6.00. |
| Bottle Gourds Bottle gourds are best described as hour glass shaped. There are several different varieties of bottles and each is shaped somewhat different. Some have short necks on top, while others are flat on top. On some varieties the top and bottom bulbs are about the same size, while others have a smaller top bulb. They are one of my favorite gourds for crafting, because they are so versatile. They make wonderful birdhouses, figures (snowmen, santas, dolls etc.) bowls, vases, forms for teneriffe, the list is endless. Our bottle gourds are represented in all size/price ranges from x-small/$1.00, up to extra-large/$7.00. |
| Snake Gourds Snake gourds are long tubular gourds. They grow anywhere from 1 foot to 6 feet long. Many develop crooks if grown on the ground. They are the only variety of hard shell gourd that is routinely eaten and then only when young. They tend to be naturally thin shelled. Here at Fernsink Gourds we discard 90 percent of the snake gourds we grow, due to poor quality, but the remaining 10 percent make great rainsticks and santas. Our snake gourds are priced by size. |
| Miscellaneous Gourds Our miscellaneous gourds are shapes that aren't recognized as a certain variety. Most are products of cross-pollination. As such, they combine the characteristics of their parents to produce a new shape. They are so varied that its impossible to describe the many shapes. Maranka crosses give a very nice pattern to some miscellaneous gourds. Our miscellaneous gourds are represented in all size/price ranges from x-small/$1.00 up to extra-large/$7.00. |
| Banana Gourds The banana gourds we sell are mostly mini gourds, however, there are some in the X-small size. They average about six inches in length and are shaped similar to bananas. They are perfect for crafting into faux chili peppers, fishing lure replicas and Christmas ornaments. They can be cut crosswise to produce napkin rings or used to make rattles. Our banana gourds are 75 cent each or 12/$6.00 |
| Cannon Ball Gourds Cannon ball gourds are round gourds. They range in size from an orange to a large grapefruit. They tend to have very dense shells. They make great small bowls, lidded containers and mini lamp shades. They can also be stacked to create snowmen. Our cannon ball gourds are priced small/$2.00 and medium/$3.00 |
| Dipper Gourds Dipper gourds are probably the most well known variety of gourds. They have necks or handles with a bulb at the end. There are a number of varieties. Short handled dippers have approximately 1' long handles and small bulbs. Long handled dippers have 2'-3' handles and large bulbs. Extra long handled dippers have up to 8' handles and small bulbs. Apache dippers have 2'-3' handles with small elongated bulbs that are flattened on the bottom. When allowed to grow on the ground, most dipper varieties produce gourds with curved or even curly handles. Short handled dippers are the variety most often used for dippers or ladles. Long handled dippers make good birdhouses. Dipper Gourds are represented in all size/price ranges from small/$2.00 to large/$5.00. |
| Maranka Gourds Maranka gourds are quite unusual looking. They have ridges on them that give them a prehistoric or deformed look. I have seen some cool puffer fish created using marankas. They also make one of a kind birdhouses. Our maranka gourds are represented in several size/price ranges from small/$2.00 up to X-Large/$7.00. |
Penguin Gourds Penguin gourds have an elongated body and generally a crooked neck. They are particularly good for producing crafts with spiral cut necks. They also make nice rattles, birdhouses, butterfly houses, vases, santas and birds. Our Penguin gourds are represented in all size/price ranges. |
| Speckled Swan Gourds Speckled Swan also known as Goose Gourds often resemble these birds. They have a rounded bottom, a neck with a swollen area a few inches back from the end, then a beak or nose. If grown on a trellis they will have a straight neck. If grown on the ground most will have a curved neck. Their skin color prior to drying is green with cream colored splotches, hence the speckled title. They are often crafted into the birds which they resemble. They can also be crafted into bird houses, bowls, etc. Most Speckled Swan gourds are priced from x-small at $2.00 to large at $5.00. |
| Canteen Gourds Canteen gourds are so named because they resemble canteens. They are flattened round gourds. Tobacco boxes and sugar bowls are similar to canteens except that they have a short neck on them. We grow all three. Canteen gourds can be crafted into purses, shallow bowls, bird feeders, lidded boxes and of course functional canteens. Our canteen gourds are represented in all size/price ranges with the bulk being small/$2.00 and medium/$3.00. |
| Curly Dipper Gourds Curly dipper gourds are actually extra-long handled dipper gourds grown on the ground, which causes them to curl and twist every which way. Put a few together and they are like a barrel full of monkeys. They are used in unique floral arrangements and are crafted into animals with tails, especially cats. Our curly dipper gourds are represented in several size/price ranges from small/$2.00 up to large/$5.00. |
Martin House Gourds Martin house gourds, as their name implies, have been the traditional choice of gourd varieties for crafting into homes for purple martins. They are shaped similar to Hershey kisses, having a neck with a flared base. They are a very versatile variety that can be crafted in many ways. They are a popular choice for Santas, bowls, teneriffe designs, lidded containers and, of course birdhouses. Our Martin House gourds are represented in all size/price ranges. |
| Sennari Gourds and Sub-Mini Gourds Sennari Gourds are the smallest of the mini-gourds, 2 inches or less. They are also known as Jewelry Gourds. Their shapes can vary. Some are shaped like bottles, some like Martin Houses, some with a skinny neck and rounded, slightly flatten bottom and even a few like dippers. Their small size makes them ideal for jewelry, ornaments, mini bowls, vases, etc. Our Sennari Gourds are priced at 75 cent each or 6/$4 |
| Water Jug Gourds Water Jug gourds, as their name implies, are shaped like old-timey glass jugs. They were used by Native Americans and early settlers to transport and store water. They are very versatile for crafting. I like their shape so much, I generally craft them whole or nearly so, but they also make good bowls and vessels. Our water jug gourds are represented in all size/price ranges from small/$2.00 up to extra-large/$7.00. |
Apple Gourds Apple gourds look just like apples, although they are larger. They are one of the simpliest gourds to decorate--paint the body red, green or yellow and the stem green and you have a faux apple. They are especially popular for crafting into gifts for teachers. They can also be crafted into birdhouses, birdfeeders, lidded boxes, bowls, etc. About 70 percent of our apple gourds are sized and priced as medium gourds at $3.00. Perhaps twenty-five percent are large at $5.00 and the remainder small @ $2.00. |
| Gourd Varieties Available |
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I am pleased to announce that I am now selling Hand
Pollinated Gourd Seed for those of you who enjoy growing a
few gourds in your backyard. These are Harry Hurley
pollinated. Some of you may know, he has won three World
Records for the biggest size bushel and pumpkin. I am happy
to offer you his seeds. Please inquire, if interested in ordering.
Thank you
Pollinated Gourd Seed for those of you who enjoy growing a
few gourds in your backyard. These are Harry Hurley
pollinated. Some of you may know, he has won three World
Records for the biggest size bushel and pumpkin. I am happy
to offer you his seeds. Please inquire, if interested in ordering.
Thank you
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