How Many Ways Are There to Dry Out Gourds?

Preparation

• You will want to clean off your gourd before drying it. David J. Robson, University of Illinois extension specialist, recommends just wiping off any moisture on the surface with a paper towel. Extension specialists at Ohio State University and Texas Cooperative Extension and others recommend washing the gourd with soap and warm water. Then, rinse with a disinfectant such as a 10 percent bleach solution (9 parts water to 1 part bleach), rubbing alcohol or 5 percent vinegar.

Location - Inside

• A good gourd-drying environment should be warm, dry and have good air circulation. The better these three elements are, the faster your gourd will dry. Darkness is important after the first week to keep the color from fading. Closets, basements and attics can be used. Keep in mind, however, that gourds can create an offensive odor and may develop mold, so keeping them away from popular areas is best.

Location - Outside

• Gourds can be left to dry outside without protection from the elements. Frost will not harm mature gourds that have a hardened shell. If the gourd is not mature, the frost will cause it to rot. Gourds can be hung in a sunny location or placed off the ground to protect them from insects and rodents. You don't need to protect them from the elements. The only drawbacks to leaving them outside are that the gourd's color can be affected by frost and seeds may become unviable after a hard freeze.

Placement

• No matter where your gourds are located, you want to place them properly to enhance the drying process. Gourds should be kept off the ground, either on layers of newspaper, a wooden pallet, a slatted tray or a metal screen. Set gourds so they are not touching each other to allow for good air circulation between them. Don't layer the gourds on top of each other. Gourds can also be hung off the ground.

Turning

• If your gourd is lying on a flat surface, it should be turned periodically to ensure it dries properly. How often and when you turn differs depending on who you ask. Since the surface only takes about a week to dry, David Robinson and Cornell University extension educator Angela Tompkins recommend turning the gourd every day for the first week. Lynn Rawe, a county extension agent with Texas Cooperative Extension, recommends turning the gourds every couple of weeks.

Dealing With Mold

• Because gourds are 90 percent water, mold often develops on the surface of the gourd. Some methods ignore the mold and scrub it off once the gourds are dry. You can also wipe off the mold every two to seven days. Use a disinfectant such as vinegar or bleach solution like you used when you prepared the gourd. Throw out any gourds that develop soft spots or begin to wrinkle.

Quickening Methods

• According to the American Gourd Society, two methods can be used to speed up the drying process. These methods can cause the skin to wrinkle, weaken the gourd or cause it to rot, so they are usually not recommended. The first method, called "greenscaping," involves using the dull side of a knife to scrape off the outer skin. Greenscaped gourds need to be kept in a warm, well-ventilated room with lots of light, and turned every few days. Piercing the gourd with an ice pick can also help it dry faster, but may cause it to rot. The last method involves baking the gourd in an oven at a very low heat.