When leaves turn color, temperatures are crisp, the State Fair is on, and produce stands and farmer’s markets display the fall harvest, folks gravitate to gourds. Children are fascinated with the shapes, colors, and inner sounds of the fruits.

Gourds are among the oldest cultivated plants on earth. There are three basic groups of gourds, all of which can be grown in South Carolina.

The decorative yellowflowered gourd, Cucurbita pepo, used in autumnal displays is small, thin–shelled, and short–lived. These orna- mental gourds may be green, white, yellow, and orange in solids or stripes; smooth or warty; round or crooknecked.

The larger white–flowered hard shelled or bottle gourds, Lagenaria sp., are heavy with a hard–shelled skin and longer life. These gourds come in a variety of shapes and have been named for their uses: birdhouse, dipper, bowl, club, spoon, bottle gourds. Hardshelled gourds are popular with crafters and artists.

Ornamental gourds may be smooth or warty, solid colors, or striped. Light–weight luffa gourds, Luffa cylindrica, the vegetable sponges or dishcloth gourds, are seen in soap and cosmetic departments. The dry seed pod makes an excellent skin exfoliant for bath or shower. Luffas may also be used to clean surfaces that cannot tolerate steel wool.

Gourd enthusiasts can be found throughout South Carolina. Some specialize in growing gourds; some focus on the history of gourds; others create a wide variety of crafts and useful objects from gourds. The South Carolina Gourd Society, devoted to educating the public on the importance of gourds, will have a large gourd art demonstration booth on the grounds of the State Fair, Friday, October 23 from 10 am – 10 pm in the Moore Bldg.

The Carolina Children’s Garden and Sandhill Farmer’s Market will co–sponsor a gourd and pumpkin painting workshop at the Farmer’s Market across from the Village at Sandhill on Tuesday, October 27 at 3:30 pm. Gourds and pumpkins may be purchased from vendors at the market. Instruction and painting supplies are free.

Gourd colors and textures have natural beauty. Consider growing your own gourd patch next summer. Gourds need a long growing season, full–sun, and plenty of water.

Gourd Organizations americangourdsociety.org ghostcreekgourds.com www.orgsites.com/sc/capitalcitygourds/ www.scgourdsociety.com
Gourd Seeds
www.burpee.com
www.johnnyseeds.com
www.parkseed.com
www.sunriseseeds.com

Birdhouse gourds for purple martins
Snake gourds
Apple gourds are used for craft projects.
Gourd painting will be offered at the Sandhill Farmer’s Market, October 27 at 3:30 pm.