{"product_id":"large-apple-gourd-heirloom-seeds","title":"Large Apple Gourd, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch1\u003eLarge Apple Gourd Heirloom Seeds\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow your own autumn decorations and craft projects from seed. Large Apple gourd produces substantial, apple-shaped fruit with mottled green skin on vigorous trailing vines. Enjoy the fresh gourds in seasonal displays, then dry mature fruit for painting and other hard-shell crafts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBig Shapes for Creative Displays\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis open-pollinated heirloom is a hard-shell gourd, not the small, horned Crown of Thorns type. Fruit shape varies with growing conditions, from rounded to more upright and apple-like. Supplier descriptions commonly place mature fruit around 7 inches tall and 6–8 inches wide, often weighing 4–7½ pounds. The green shell turns brown as it dries.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Instructions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow as a warm-season annual. Wait until frost danger has passed and soil is warm before planting outdoors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose full sun and fertile, well-drained soil amended with compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStarting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow in warm conditions, or start indoors a few weeks before transplanting. Handle roots gently and harden off seedlings before planting outside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reserve a generous growing area. Allow roughly 4–6 feet between planting stations and room beyond them for trailing vines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupport:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vines may sprawl on the ground or climb a strong, securely anchored trellis. Plan support for the weight of mature gourds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain consistent soil moisture during growth. Water near the roots rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHarvest and Curing Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 110 days for mature gourds; weather and growing conditions affect timing. Drying takes additional time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow the shell to harden and the vine and stem to brown. Cut rather than pull, leaving a short stem attached.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCuring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry mature gourds in a dry, well-ventilated location, with space around each fruit. Turn and inspect periodically. Full drying can take several months, depending on fruit size and conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReady for crafts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fully dried gourds become lightweight and the seeds may rattle inside. Do not seal or paint a still-moist shell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest uses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn displays, painted gourds, and dried-shell craft projects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lagenaria siceraria.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Large Apple gourd a pumpkin?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a Lagenaria hard-shell gourd grown here for ornamental and craft use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs this listing intended for eating?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. These gourds are offered for decoration and crafts, not as a culinary squash.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a raised bed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, provided the vines have substantial spreading room beyond the planting area or a strong support. This is not a compact container variety.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs for your home garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":".5g\/~20 seeds","offer_id":67899084931206,"sku":"TLM\/A4-20-71-725-31","price":3.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/LARGE-apple-gourd-seeds_510.jpg?v=1793929033","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/large-apple-gourd-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}