Birdhouse Gourd in Zone 11a & 11b
Lagenaria siceraria
Yes, birdhouse gourd grows in zones 11a and 11b. Plant it outside Jan 15–Jan 22.
When to plant birdhouse gourd in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b 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 | Jan 15–Jan 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Apr 20–Apr 27 (~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 11b
These go outside within two weeks of birdhouse gourd in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- AchiraJan 15–Jan 22
- CucamelonJan 15–Jan 22
- JicamaJan 15–Jan 22
- MaukaJan 15–Jan 22
- Molokhia (Egyptian Spinach)Jan 15–Jan 22
- Vegetable AmaranthJan 15–Jan 22
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 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Birdhouse Gourd planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b 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 | Not usually | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 19–May 26 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | 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 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Birdhouse Gourd in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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