Fall is the best time to start a bird-feeding program that will last until spring. As the temperature begins to drop, the natural food supply dwindles, forcing birds to look for alternative sources to get them through the cold winter months. A feeder put out in the fall is sure to become a regular stop on birds' winter feeding rounds. The foods birds love include black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, cracked corn, peanut butter, thistle, fruit, and shelled sunflower seeds.
Gourd Shelter
Small birds, such as finches and pine siskins, will appreciate the protection from predators that this feeder offers. Dried gourds can be purchased from gourd farms.
Tools and Materials
9-to-15-inch bottle gourd, dried
Pencil
Paper
Craft saw
Drill and 3/8-inch bit
4 sturdy twigs
Waxed twine
Upholstery needle
Gourd Feeder How-To
1. Loosen dried gourd seeds by slapping the gourd with your palm. Draw the shape of a window opening on paper, and cut it out; trace it onto the gourd's surface four times.
2. Use a craft saw to cut along tracings. Shake out gourd seeds. Drill a hole beneath each opening, and find twigs that will fit snugly inside them; insert twigs. Drill two holes, one on either side of the gourd's neck. Thread twine through holes with an upholstery needle; loop over tree branch.
3. Hang feeder under some sort of shelter, so that the seeds stay dry and don't become moldy. You may also like to drill two holes on the base of the gourd to encourage water drainage.
Heard a ton of great things about the bird feeders by Perky Pet, you have any thoughts or reviews?
Heard a ton of great things about the bird feeders by Perky Pet, you have any thoughts or reviews?
Fantastic idea for using gourds, really creative. Do you have any for <a href="http://www.birdfeeders.com/store/hummingbird-feeders/122tf">hummingbird feeders</a>?
you can find a lot of cool gourds on ebay, or at the web site of Wellborn gourd farm in Ca.
I have dried gourds for years and the best way is to dry them in a barn or garage where it is dry all winter. Some do not make it but a lot will if they had enough dry air to them. I found my horse barn to work really well.
I LOVE THIS! Good craft, marthastewart.com! Keep them coming.
oh how cute!! Ok where exactly can I find a gourd?
How do you dry a gourd anyway?
Thanks for the great idea! I purchased a gourd at my local apple orchard and was going to make a bird house but this idea is better. Think I will use a squirrel baffle though to keep the rain out so the seed doesn't mold. My birds thank you too!
PLEASE NOTE WARNING: ALWAYS USE MASKS AND DONT BREATH THE DUST TO ANY KIND OF GOURDS-THEY CONTAIN MOLD THAT IS DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH IF INGESTED!
PLEASE NOTE WARNING: ALWAYS USE MASKS AND DONT BREATH THE DUST TO ANY KIND OF GOURDS-THEY CONTAIN MOLD THAT IS DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH IF INGESTED!
PLEASE NOTE WARNING: ALWAYS USE MASKS AND DONT BREATH THE DUST TO ANY KIND OF GOURDS-THEY CONTAIN MOLD THAT IS DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH IF INGESTED!
A large aluminun pie pan with a [filtered word] drilled in the middle to fit over the top of the gourd would also provide shelter as well as keep squirrels out of the feeder.
A large aluminun pie pan with a [filtered word] drilled in the middle to fit over the top of the gourd would also provide shelter as well as keep squirrels out of the feeder.
A large aluminun pie pan with a [filtered word] drilled in the middle to fit over the top of the gourd would also provide shelter as well as keep squirrels out of the feeder.
Love the fingers holding the cloth up!
Love the fingers holding the cloth up! A word of caution about drilling holes in the bottom though. Some seed will be small enough to fall through and the larger ones will clog those holes, so you really need to check the feeders regularly for mold unless they are hung where rain can't get to them. A small mesh screen can be cut in a circle and placed in the bottom which would allow bigger drain holes and that would aid airflow and help prevent the mold issue.
Love the fingers holding the cloth up! A word of caution about drilling holes in the bottom though. Some seed will be small enough to fall through and the larger ones will clog those holes, so you really need to check the feeders regularly for mold unless they are hung where rain can't get to them. A small mesh screen can be cut in a circle and placed in the bottom which would allow bigger drain holes and that would aid airflow and help prevent the mold issue.
Love the fingers holding the cloth up! A word of caution about drilling holes in the bottom though. Some seed will be small enough to fall through and the larger ones will clog those holes, so you really need to check the feeders regularly for mold unless they are hung where rain can't get to them. A small mesh screen can be cut in a circle and placed in the bottom which would allow bigger drain holes and that would aid airflow and help prevent the mold issue.
How do you dry a gourd. It might sound stupid but I have no idea... Can someone help?
How do you dry a gourd. It might sound stupid but I have no idea... Can someone help?
Save your gourd seeds, wash and dry thoroughly. I paint gourds and use the seeds to add to a painted roof area. Can make some really cute gourds that way. Just glue them on with a good glue. Safety hint, wear a face mask whenever cleaning out a dried gourd, the dust will mess up your lungs...
Marilyn
I just Googled "drying gourds" and found a site that INSISTS on Gourd Safety, as gourd dust can cause all kinds of health problems due to the mold and spores in the air. Please check it out before trying this even ONCE.
First, it's rude to refer to anyone, much less Martha, as "she." As for gourds, let them dry thoroughly on the vine. Scrub them with a 3M scouring pad. Dry in slow oven - 170 - a couple of days. If you cut open a green gourd, it's interesting but not what this project asks for.
When I tried to drill a [filtered word] the gourd split. Any suggestions?
yeh, how do you dry a gourd?
It takes all winter in a cool dark place to dry a gourd.
You can also buy them already dried at a craft shop like Michael's.
Why doesn't she just tell us how to dry a gourd??
Love the birdfeeders! would love to see more projects using gourds!
Go to www.local.com and just enter "gourds" and your zip code. Might find some farmers, nurseries, etc., that sell them locally.
ok..i'll go first....
where can you get dried gourds?