Erica Groneman
My family loves watching birds in our backyard. We have several hummingbird feeders and other birdfeeders placed strategically throughout the yard. Have you ever made a gourd birdhouse or birdfeeder? It’s a simple and fun craft for people of all ages, especially kids.
How to make your own gourd birdhouse from start to finish:
- Plant your Birdhouse Gourd Seeds according to the planting instructions.
- Let your gourds mature on the vines as long as possible, then harvest and store over the winter.
- After the gourds are completely hard and dry, mark a point in the center of the gourd where you want to put the hole. The hole should not point up or down, so try to get it in a center space.
- Use a hole saw to drill a hole 1 ½” to 2 ½” in diameter. The size of hole you drill can influence which birds your birdhouse attracts. To make a bird feeder instead of a birdhouse, drill two holes opposite each other instead of just one hole.
- Use a spoon or knife to carefully remove the seeds and insides from inside the gourd.
- Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill two holes on the top of your gourd to use to hang the birdhouse.
- Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill two or three holes on the bottom of the gourd to allow for drainage.
- Cut twine to the desired length then thread through the top holes and tie. Alternatively you could use wire instead of twine on this step.
- Wash, clean, and dry your gourd.
- If desired, paint the birdhouse with acrylic paint then spray to seal.
- Hang the birdhouse and wait for a new feathered friend to move in!
About the Author
Hi, I’m Erica Groneman. I am a mom, volunteer, and a gardener. There’s something satisfying about getting my hands dirty and watching things grow. I believe gardening is universal and crosses all boundaries, bringing us all together. I hope we can share in the joy of growing together. Thanks for stopping by!
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