What Kind of Fertilizer Is Used to Plant Bottle Gourds?

Season

• Plant bottle gourds, also called bottle squash and calabash gourd, in mid-spring. These sensitive plants require warm air and soil temperatures for germination and growth, and fail in cold or wet soil. The Ohio State University Extension recommends waiting until all frost lifts.

Site and Space

• Bottle gourds need full sunshine all day, plenty of space and efficient drainage. The seeds rot and fail in muddy or shaded sites. Choose a sunny location and plant the seeds at every 24 to 36 inches in the row, with 5 to 6 feet between rows. These squash plants require a trellis or stake for healthy growth, and take less space when they grow on a trellis.

Soil and Starting Nutrition

• Start the seeds off with good nutrition and soil quality for best growing success. Turn 3 to 4 inches of rich organic compost into the top 6 to 7 inches of soil, and add 5-10-10 or 8-16-16 granular fertilizer, per manufacturer recommendations. This "starter" fertilizer encourages quick germination and root development, while the compost provides gentle long-term nutrition.

Maintenance

• Water the bottle squash with 2 inches of water every week and use heavy organic mulch to keep soil warm and moist through the hot season. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends another fertilizer application at mid-season, when the vines begin to develop and climb. Mix 46-0-0 or 27-3-3 granular fertilizer into the soil to the side of the main stem, then water. Follow manufacturer directions in regard to fertilizer rate and safety.