Leave your gourds on the vines until there has been a light frost or the stems turn brown. When you pick the gourd, leave at least an inch or more of the stem. Once harvested, clean them with some soapy water, with a small amount of chlorine bleach added to help control mold. Allow them to dry in a warm place with good air circulation, such as a barn. Gourds that become soft or begin to rot should be removed, but you can save their seeds. As the gourds dry, mold will develop on the outer skin and this is normal. For this reason you should not dry them inside your home. The odor could also be offensive, so pick somewhere not usually frequented. They can also be left out in the garden on the vines to dry as they would naturally. Gourds can take 3-6 months to completely dry, depending on their size
You can tell when to pick butternut squash from the vine when the skin is hard and the stem is dry and brown.
To dye a gourd using Rit dye, first prepare the gourd by cleaning it thoroughly and ensuring it's dry. Mix the desired Rit dye with hot water according to the package instructions, and then submerge the gourd in the dye solution for about 10-30 minutes, depending on the desired color intensity. After dyeing, rinse the gourd under cold water until the water runs clear, and allow it to dry completely. For added protection, you can seal the dyed gourd with a clear acrylic spray once it's dry.
When the stem starts to pull away from the gourd they are ripe. Do the twist the stem but cut it as close to the vine as possible with a sharp knife or scissors. When drying do not set on the ground as air needs to be able to move around it to allow it to dry and not rot.
You know when to pick sweet corn when the kernels are plump and juicy, the husks are green and tight, and the silk is brown and dry.
How long does it take aqgourd to dry?(my guess is about a year)
To make a birdhouse out of a bottle gourd, first, clean the gourd thoroughly and let it dry. Then, cut a hole in the gourd for the bird entrance and make small holes for ventilation and drainage. Attach a sturdy hook or string for hanging the birdhouse. Lastly, place some nesting material inside the gourd to attract birds.
If allowed to thoroughly dry out, the pulp in the gourd evaporates, leaving only the hard, dried seeds inside. When shaken, such a gourd rattles - the basis of the percussion instrument called the "maraca".
3 to 5 months on average. The larger varieties take longer than the smaller ornamental gourds. When the stem changes brown and starts to dry or after the first frost the gourds are done growing. Ornamental = smaller = 90 to 110 days Bottle and bushel = larger = 120 to 150 days Always cut stems cleanly 2 to 3 inches above the gourd to insure proper drying. Never twist gourds off of the vine. The vine can always be removed later after the drying process if needed.
Just leave the green bean pods on the vine until they look old. They will discolor and look shriveled. Then, open them & take the beans out. If any of the beans are damp, let them lay on a paper towel until they dry out. If they look dry you can store them for next year.
grass is green and paper is dry so if you want something green and dry get some green paper.
Gourds are often left to dry in the field on the vine. Harvest them before the first frost.
To cure a mate gourd properly, fill it with yerba mate leaves and hot water, let it sit for 24 hours, then empty it out and let it dry completely. This process helps to remove any natural flavors and odors from the gourd, preparing it for use.