Birdhouse Gourd in Zone 5a & 5b
Lagenaria siceraria
When to plant birdhouse gourd in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Birdhouse Gourd doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 24–May 31 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 27–Sep 3 (~95 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 8-15 ft.
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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Birdhouse Gourd needs about 95 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Birdhouse Gourd.
Where to buy birdhouse gourd seeds
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 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Birdhouse Gourd in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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