I am so easy to grow, plant me on a mound or small hill where I will have a lot of room, tons of sunlight then leave me alone and I will do great.  Just don’t forget to water me because I get very thirsty in Summer’s Heat.  My vines grow really long, and can be “trained” but don’t be surprised if I take over the entire area.  Thin each vine to two or three gourds each in order to grow “good sized” gourds.    At the end of the season, dry the gourds in the sun.  When they are dry, give them a good cleaning, and use sandpaper on the outside surface.  Have an adult wearing rubber gloves help you mix a 10% solution of bleach and water and soak for 15 minutes to prevent rot and molds.  Have an adult help you create a hole and use a knife to remove all my seeds.  Paint me, and hang me from a branch to give a bird a new home

Growing instructions:
Like most gourds, Birdhouse Gourds need a lot of sun, water and thrive in long spells of warm weather.  Birdhouse gourds require lots of room, their vines like to spread and climb.  It is not unusual for a fine to reach 30 feet!  You can let them grow on the ground, up fences, or up a trellis.  Many people grow Bird house gourds on mounds or hills.  As their vines spread, the vines will send roots into the ground to gain additional nutrients and moisture. 
Be aware that Birdhouse Gourd vines can take over an area if untended.  Once your vines reach a few feet long, prune the plants back to the strongest vines and best looking gourds.  On average you can expect 2 to 3 good sized gourds per plant.  The vines will produce more gourds than this, however if you do not thin out some of the gourds, you will only produce small gourds that will not be large enough for birdhouses.  It is also a good idea to stand the gourds on their bases as they grow, this helps form gourds the perfect shape for birdhouses.
Gourds are ready to be picked when the stems dry and turn brown.  Make sure to harvest your birdhouse gourds before frost.  If they are not ready, the mature gourds can survive a light frost, but make an effort to cover them at night to protect them.  Do not be surprised if all your vines look like they are dying and turning brown.  The gourds are still drawing moisture from the vines and continue to mature. 
When you cut your gourds, make sure to leave a few inches of stem, and handle them carefully.  Make sure the stem is cut, if it is twisted or pulled, your gourd will not dry properly.  Be very careful, if you drop, scratch, bruise or break the skin of your gourds, they will not dry properly. 
For the rest of this project you will need some help from an adult:
Some people just let their Birdhouse Gourds dry outside on the vine.  It has worked for many people, but there is a chance the gourds can mold, rot, or be eaten by critters.
After harvest, wash your Birdhouse Gourd with soap and water and then let them dry.  Next wipe the gourd with rubbing alcohol over the entire surface. 
When curing, the gourds can give off an odor.  You may want to cure them in a garage or shed, or a protected area outdoors.  Place your gourds on a screen or rack in a clean, dark, well ventilated area for about 7-10 days.  If drying indoors, it is a good idea to have a small fan pointed at them to keep air moving.  During this time, the outer skin of should harden.  Make sure the gourds do not touch, and turn them every few days so they dry evenly.  If you see any signs soft spots or decay, remove that gourd and throw it away.  You do not want to risk ruining the rest of your crop.  If you see mold, clean the area and keep an eye on that gourd, it should be fine, sometimes the area the mold was on can leave an interesting pattern. However if an area is soft or mushy, throw the gourd away, it will not make it through the curing process.  

The next step is to dry the inside of the gourd.  This process takes at four to five weeks.  Store the gourds in shallow container or boxes in a dark, warm, well-ventilated area.  Again a small fan can help to keep the air moving and speed up the process. Turn the gourds every few days to make sure they dry evenly.  If mold appears, clean the area, and continue to dry that gourd in an area away from the rest of your gourds.  You do not want to risk spreading the mold to the rest of your crop. You know your gourds are completely dried when they become light weight, and you can hear the seeds rattle when you shake them.
After they are cured, you can smooth the outside of the gourd with fine grit sandpaper.  Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol.  After it dries, apply a coat of wax or shellac before painting and decorating.
The last step in turning your gourd into a Birdhouse Gourd is making a hole.  Most birds require an opening between 1 to 1½ inches.  Any bigger and a bigger bird can rob the nest.  Have an adult use a drill with a hole saw bit, it makes the cleanest hole and will not cause cracks. 
You do not need to put a stick for a perch outside the hole.  A perch will only make it easier for another bigger meaner bird to break into your bird’s new home.  When you hang your new Birdhouse Gourd, make sure it is at least 6-10 feet from the ground.