Birdhouse Gourd in Zone 10a & 10b
Lagenaria siceraria
Yes, birdhouse gourd grows in zones 10a and 10b. Plant it outside Feb 13–Feb 20.
When to plant birdhouse gourd in zone 10b
Zones 10a and 10b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
| Estimated harvest | May 19–May 26 (~95 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 8-15 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 10b
These go outside within two weeks of birdhouse gourd in zone 10b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoFeb–Apr
- Sweet CornFeb–Mar
- CucumberFeb–Apr
- ZucchiniFeb–Mar
- BroccoliniJan 30–Feb 6
- Napa Cabbage (Chinese Cabbage)Jan 30–Feb 6
Birdhouse gourd is the one crop in this list you plant for what is left after the season ends. The fruit is inedible at maturity; you cure the shell, drill it, and hang it.
How birdhouse gourd fits zone 10's season
Zone 10b's frost-free window runs about 324 days, from January 30 to December 20. Birdhouse gourd needs about 95 days from sowing to first harvest.
Birdhouse Gourd planting windows in every zone
Zone 10b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 1–Sep 8 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 24–May 31 | Aug 27–Sep 3 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Aug 12–Aug 19 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 28–Aug 4 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 12–Jul 19 |
| 9a & 9b | Not usually | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 4–Jun 11 |
| 10a & 10b (your zone) | Not usually | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 19–May 26 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Apr 20–Apr 27 |
Harvest dates are about 95 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for birdhouse gourd.
Where to buy birdhouse gourd seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries birdhouse gourd seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing birdhouse gourd" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 10b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Birdhouse Gourd in USDA zone 10b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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