Birdhouse Gourd in Zone 5a & 5b
Lagenaria siceraria
Yes, birdhouse gourd grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside May 24–May 31.
When to plant birdhouse gourd in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | 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.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of birdhouse gourd in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMay 24–May 31
- Bush BeansMay 17–May 24
- Sweet CornMay 17–May 24
- CucumberMay 17–May 24
- ZucchiniMay 17–May 24
- Winter SquashMay 17–May 24
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.
Birdhouse Gourd planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 5b calendar · 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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