A gourd engraved with Chinese characters.Gourds come in handy for crafts, such as making funky birdhouses, bowls and baskets. Here's how to dry them:
• You'll get best results with gourds that are fully mature, so wait as long as possible before harvesting, short of letting them rot on the ground.
• When cutting, include some of the stalk as part of your harvest. This will be useful for hanging them to dry.
• Dry in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place in your home.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
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