Making Birdhouses from Homegrown Gourds

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

We are starting to add gourd birdhouses to our Etsy shop. Check them out here. www.etsy.com/shop/LivingTraditionsMO

[@robinkrok119]

Just purchased! Excited to put it up- thanks!!

[@kathyaakananabluebird]

My husband and I bought one from you this week. It looks fantastic and we cannot wait to be able to hang it out in our garden.

[@megrandmomjean5019]

Sarah and Kevin - I love your videos. Have looked in your Etsy shop for a birdhouse gourd, but not able to fine one. They look soooooooooooo nice on the video.

[@myocdgarden9705]

Except for a rabbit cook book, there is nothing on etsy.

[@bkbliss58]

Have been trying to find somewhere to buy then . I like to decorate them. I Will check out your Etsy

[@theresepittman1914]

Great video . I grew gourds a few years ago for my first grade classroom. They really enjoyed planting the seeds and then picking out their gourds. I stored them at my house to dry . A year later the 2nd grade teacher let them paint and or decorate them. in class.

[@artist45]

What a lovely idea!

[@mirandas7033]

My aunt is a pre-school teacher. She buys gourds from the local farmers and drys them out for maracas that the kids can play with.

[@Sg4809]

The world needs more people like you, God bless you

[@margaretdavis96]

I love how he says "God makes beautiful things". I really could live with them.

[@caewalker9276]

Great bird house. Take the piece that you drilled out, cut it in half and glue it on an angle to help stop the rain running in. Great project Kevin.

[@millermeadows6359]

great idea...

[@caewalker9276]

@@millermeadows6359 cheers.

[@elrichoward4193]

Would have made great Christmas gifts.

[@glendabrekke5475]

how would you attach it Cae? like a roof with toothpicks?

[@misstrcarter]

Not a good idea. Gives predators a place to perch and wait for the smaller bird to come out or to dig into the nest.

[@AliciasInTheKitchen]

My great-grandpa grew gourds for birdhouses. He only made them for martins, and swore they were the most useful birds in the garden. He also used the gourds for cooking utensils, like spoons and ladles. One of the things that I love most about your channel is how many childhood memories of my GGparents it brings back. Bless you all!

[@mstyblu379]

Just want to take the time to let you know that I watch your shows nearly every evening. I used to live on a small homestead up in IL and loved it so very much. I did all my own gardening, raised my own beef, pork, and chickens, for eggs only. I loved being able to go to the garden or cellar for my own canned goods or frozen meats to prepare our meals. I've been struck with horrible arthritis n fibromyalgia and am now in a wheelchair living in a senior living facility on the third floor. Talk about disappointing.I miss the country and tried to get a senior garden club started here but that was poo-pooed by our new manager. We had already gotten many to sign up for our raised garden club only to be disappointed. I have no balcony so I tried growing my own tomatoes and Jalapeno's in my apartment but they needed bugs to pollinate them. Finally gave up and now enjoy shows like yours. Your family brings me so much joy, thanks for all your precious time. Love, Grandma Gloria

[@LivingTraditionsHomestead]

Thank you so much for the kind note. It is so disappointing that they wouldn’t allow you to have a garden club. I am glad you are able to get some joy from our videos. We do love the country life. God Bless! Kevin

[@Sg4809]

GOD STILL HAS PLANS FOR YOU AND WHAT THE ENEMY STEALS OUR FATHER WILL REWARD BACK TO YOU JUST REMEMBER THAT

[@martiokrzesik5870]

That manager needs a rabid tazmanian devil placed in his trousers. Grandma i'll help you plant him in some fertilizer.

[@Salty4freedom]

God bless you

[@catinabox3048]

FYI, if you make things with it that DO require you to clean it out, I've seen people take a handful of screws and swish it around inside, which seems to scrape things clean. After that, you just pour the debris out with the screws and voilà! In China, people frequently use gourds to make scoops, bowls, and wine containers. There's also a musical instrument that uses it.

[@commonweakness9060]

for an even more natural way to make these you could use natural stains from black walnut or old coffee grounds. then use wax to water proof them. thanks for the vids.

[@rusticnashville]

Thanks! Great idea! I’m definitely going to randomly plant them on the farm, in the woods, like you said!!! Awesome!

[@darlenep5206]

Gourd~ious !! Thanks Kevin, Glad you're up and around, and Taking it Easy

[@RaechelleJ]

Like the play on words

[@pamelarichardsen862]

Gourds make perfect birdhouses! Once the gourd was cleaned up and stained, it was amazing to see the beautiful finished product. Your videos are very informative, and so inspiring!!

[@natka8181]

I did not plant this, but it came up and enveloped my whole fence, and my neighbors fences. Now I'm researching what to do with them. Neighbor said it's from prior tenants. Great idea here, I'll make birdhouses!!

[@n.v.b2]

Gorgeous birdhouse! Thank you for the great video.

[@scottst.laurent5456]

Don’t sell yourself short Kevin God does give us a great mind to create beautiful things .

[@ginafriend1690]

That was enjoyable! Thanks and God Bless you as well! 🙌🐦

[@simplelivinghighthinking7007]

Simple living is about consciousness. If we live in the right consciousness, our presence enhances the natural world around us. These birdhouses are a great example!

[@hopeonthetrail6984]

I'm hoping to grow some of these this year. I just burned a huge brush pile in my back field and will work up that area and use this area to grow the gourds. I love the way you left the birdhouse in it's natural state. I might even sneak some luffa's in also. I work in a rehab center and my students love to paint the gourds with acrylics. It will be fun to grow them myself and teach them about the whole process. I'm loving all your videos- being off right now in so many ways has been good but of course not for the tragedy that is happening in our country. Hope all of you are staying safe and healthy. Blessings to all of you. He is so good to us ! Teri

[@loriknechtel2387]

Beautiful bird house. Hint of advise. I use my vegetable oil after I fry my fries in it. That makes a great coating. The oil does not go to waste and it does a good job if you are just coating your objects.

[@buteobuteo]

I was about to write the same thing, it's works great. Lots of all-natural oils and waxes to choose from.

[@vickithilges3497]

They really look nice varnished, it brings out the design of the gourd.

[@timmillan6701]

A great project for kids, et al. Easy ( and fast) to grow, attractive flowers, and a useful end product. This longterm type of project also serves to demonstrate why we do some things that will be beneficial or useful beyond the immediate future - in the long run. Good job

[@goggleuser12]

Wow, love your drying method! 🐦

[@michael7423]

Just Incase you didn’t already know hang your birdhouse with the hole facing east or southeasterly so it will get the morning rays of sunlight, also have it open up to a field or open meadow if possible the bluebirds will love it! Great video Kevin, I hope some beautiful bluebirds move in fast and come back year after year!

[@larrybrown2906]

Michael is correct.

[@Ourlittlefunnyfarm]

I grew birdhouse gourds this past summer. I bought a package of inexpensive seeds at the dollar store. Planted along a fence and just let them do their thing. I ended up with about 60 usable gourds. My mother in law carves and paints gourds as an art form. She was thrilled when I gifted her with most of my bounty. I kept a few to use for simple birdhouses and appreciate your instructional video.

[@50shadesofgreen]

good day to you Kevin and Sarah !! thanks for sharing another awesome update and adventures on & off the homestead 👨‍🌾🎥👍✝

[@MelissaGemini]

I’m in Vandalia MO. Using your idea of the arch to grow my gourds. I can’t wait to harvest. Robins and purple martins are in abundance here, I love watching them.

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

Great video. FYI- polyurethane is an interior grade product and will break down fairly quickly in the sunlight. A better option might be an exterior grade spar varnish, it has UV protecting additives in the formula. We just grew goards this year for the first time and I think we'll do ours like yours. Thanks!

[@PaulaJoDavis]

It looks like an Italian marble birdhouse! Simply beautiful!

[@danasullivan6250]

Thank you Kevin for showing the correct way to make these birdhouses. People want to make a perch just below the entrance and that encourages predators. Its nice to see videos being made that show the correct way to do things. Thank you!

[@sashanoel167]

I loved this!!! Someone gave me two large gourds. The first one spoiled and I threw it out. The second one started to look like it was going bad, so I drew a circle cut it out (with a knife) and scraped out everything inside, then put it in the oven on the lowest temp for 10 minutes. "BUT" wish I had watched your channel first, so I'd know what I was doing 😉😱

[@chelinfusco6403]

When you said that God makes beautiful things, it really touched my heart. Thanks Kevin for the great information. Say... if you wish to sell the seeds, we will send you a self address & stamped envelope for them. Just let us know.

[@duanepainter7870]

We used to do a lot of the things you're doing. I loved the gourds. So easy to grow. I took about 2-3" of the stem and drilled a hole below the opening to create a perch. Our birdhouses mainly attracted wrens. Being a small bird the perch was perfect for them. When the babies were waiting for food those birdhouses would sway back and forth as they were being fed. We enjoyed watching them year after year.

[@idahohoosier8989]

Found this by completely by accident. So, cool. Y'all never cease to amaze me Kevin Blessings, julie

[@RainbowValleyRanch]

You guys, this is SO neat!! What a unique item to being to farmer's market! I agree, Kevin, God does make beautiful things!! Thanks for sharing!

[@snapstring3134]

Good to see you up and about Kevin

[@gloriagodfrey3899]

This was a great presentation. I think that I will have to give it a try. Thank you so much and I am so glad that you are doing good after your surgery.

[@sarabernal8474]

I love these as bird houses! What a clever idea. 😃👍

[@judyholbrook7915]

Good information. You explain steps and why you do what you do. That is helpful for a newbie. I will be working on my gourds soon. Enjoy!!🌞

[@karengannon2597]

Thank you, I enjoyed learning how to do this. God Bless You Too.

[@trishathibodeau744]

I really like the birdhouse you made, they would also make really pretty outdoor lanterns. You can cut the hole bigger so you can use battery candles for an outdoor party or wedding and they could have cut outs to add decoration as well as light. Love the videos you guys do !

[@suzanneleblanc1077]

Beautiful, your right, man has tried for centuries buthas never come close to the beauty of God's own creation and you have a good example in yourhands there, glad to see to appreciate and use it.

[@lilbitatatime3763]

Beautiful job on the birdhouse. The natural look is really nice. You'll have to let us know when someone takes up residence. 👍

[@cursing_creations]

Those are just lovely! I have an old gourd that my husband’s grandmother etched a design onto. It’s not a birdhouse just an decoration.

[@PatrickMusilek]

This video was a huge inspiration to me. Thank you so much for making it. We had a big crop of gourds just like this last year and so now I am ready to try this process with my own gourds. Again, thank you so much!

[@sky7wisecrystalrain819]

Thanks Kevin, wonderful video! It's lovely to see you up and about and doing well!

[@oby-1607]

Most impressive. We learned something today because of you. Thanks.

[@emmadalrymple4102]

I started growing gourds 2 summers ago, and they are the easiest thing in the world to do! I only have a 1/4 acre in the city, but the past 2 summers I have gotten about 60 or so varied size gourds. They DO get beautiful colors and patterns once you clean and stain them. I absolutely LOVE how you stored them in your wire racks in your barn. Very clever idea! I had one gourd last year that was humongous at 22 inches long, about 24 inches circumference . They make beautiful gifts! Thanks you! Hitting subscribe right now! Anderson, SC.

[@MaryInfante]

40 some years ago, my mom made one for a little family of wrens that came every year and nested there and dang to us all season. She used a quarter to make the tiny little hole and made a little roost stick next to the bird house.

[@MrAdamNTProtester]

Very Cool... add a small dowel just below the opening for a perch... because even birds like a porch!

[@amandabyrd2758]

Thank you for sharing this video I will be making our bird houses next spring after they dry

[@maryreynolds5310]

Good to see you! Yes, they are so fun to make, AND watch become homes!

[@claireclaire8370]

Very cool. You should make a bunch and sell at the Farmer's Market. Those are very unique and I'm sure people would buy them!

[@lastoeck]

Kevin - You are a good gourd guy!

[@ahandmadehomestead]

We grew birdhouse gourds this year for the first time. They did so well! Planted them with jack be little pumpkins and it worked out perfectly over a cattle panel arch. We put a few too many plants though and our arch began to flatten. Lol! They were such fun to grow. Good job on the bird house!

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Glad to have run across this video. Forgot what size hole to make, so now back to last falls project. Ps. The seed cavity membrane makes a good fire starter (sunflower stalks do too)

[@duanepainter7870]

I like that idea of spreading the seeds around in the woods. I'm anxious to find out how that has worked for you.

[@bsofar1675]

Very helpful information. I love the finished product. My Dad made me a beautiful wooden bluebird house, which I painted blue, of course. No birds liked it. Later, I learned that if you paint your birdhouse, it could be a year or more before they would be interested in it.

[@patmitchell2389]

That gourd you prepared is gorgeous

[@6996katmom]

They are beautiful. I tried to grow gourds before and they didn't make it. You make me want to try again. Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day!

[@francespannebaker3184]

Usually when you find a chart of the diameter of the entrance hole you also find charts for the area that the bottom of the nest should be and the depth from the entrance to the bottom of the birdhouse. If the depth is too shallow the baby birds can more easily fall out of the nest. It is a problem if the gourds are too small. I think you could more easily make wren boxes with the smaller gourds.

[@salliebeard1899]

Beautiful,so glad you are doing wonderful. And have found a easy, but busy job to do until you heal completely. You need to sell them.

[@thomascdurham9130]

Good morning Kevin! Great to see you up and about making videos again. The gourd birdhouses are a great project for kids. Simple tools and no one get smashed fingers from a misguided hammer or splinters when building a simple conventional bird house. Now parents have a great idea for kids who are rained or snowed in. And like you said, because they can be painted, that will make the project even last longer. Great video! :)

[@kathipeerboom7412]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video! I grew gourds this last summer and thought I did something terribly wrong drying them out because of all the mold. Now I know how to clean them and finish them up for the birds. :)

[@salmonhunter7414]

God does make beautiful things. Thanks for sharing J&J from North Bay Canada

[@genal5808]

Wow! Thanks for sharing! That is such a cool birdhouse!

[@mlo6965]

Thank you Kevin! Protecting the garden : )

[@amandabarnes5235]

Super cute! Someday, I'm going to have a greenhouse that is devoted strictly to growing gourds. My kids would have a blast painting these.

[@sweetpea9433]

Glad to see you up and around, I love 💕 your videos thanks for sharing

[@TracyR4]

This makes me excited to grow our gourds for next year!

[@rosemarylavway7073]

Good morning! Love this video.. I use to plant my gourdes along the tree line of our property. Its beautiful how they hang from the trees and blossom , its so beautiful... Thanks for the memories..Rosemary Lavway

[@MsSallieK]

Super cool project with beautiful results! Nice job!

[@gregorybyers8378]

We live in Lake Toxaway, NC the old timers use to build crosses and hung the gourds down from the crosses and put them in their gardens and fields to get the Martins to build their nest in, and that way they would be in their gardens all the time. You can also make water dippers out of them too.

[@CourtneyFSmith-cu4rj]

Thanks for sharing this video with us! This brings back memory’s of my granddad prepping gourds & something I’m looking forward to trying one day.

[@maryjemisonMaryjay1936]

Love the bird houses, gourds really did well

[@charolettwills4358]

I like to add small chicken or any feathers and small grape vines around the door, just by hot glue. It is so rustic and pretty.

[@beckydavis2252]

What lovely bird houses. God does make wonderful things.

[@hdbagger4266]

For years Ive wondered how these were made and Im 64 lol ,I might just grow these in my garden come spring I usually make bluebird houses out of wood,but these gourds look pretty easy,thanks for the video Kevin ,you guys have a great Christmas!

[@DebbiesHomeplace]

Thanks Kevin I always wanted to know what these gourds were grown for. Neat idea. I see you look like you're feeling much better. Continued prayers for healing. God is Good!

[@kiwimacscottish6759]

Good morning Kevin, Sarah and Family. Thank you for sharing your bird house gourds video. I think I'll stay on the side of caution and only plant one plant, not sure what I would do with 100's. of them. You sure do have your hand full on your homestead. Have a wonderful and productive day. 🇨🇦

[@WanderingNature]

God is an Artist, all the beautiful things he made for our use!

[@kimberlycleveland1816]

Very handy list of preferred bird holes! Thank you!

[@colleenlassie2600]

What a sweet video... they came out so beautiful with the minwax.. cool very cool.. :)) I watched a video where the farmer/homesteader did that all around their garden too for the same reason.. they eat the bugs in the garden.. Gosh nature is so smart! Thanks for sharing .

[@backtobasicstipswithtomrib19]

We bought some Bird House Gourds at Walmart a few years ago. Ended up with about 50 gourds when the rabbits got done...lol Had a lady buy them and use them for actuary with a small candle at her daughters wedding. Made several bird houses and most a still up and functioning. Lost a few to the winter winds...but there is the reason to grow more.

[@FilipinaDesertGardener]

I also have a tons of gourd birdhouses this year and a lot of it still drying, but I used loofa to scrubbed them instead of buying that copper thingi you're using it works just as good..

[@darcyrobb3692]

WoW!!! So very nice!! Natural birdhouse , beautiful🙂

[@AfterTheRains]

Lovely project. It looks like a beautifully carved piece of wood.

[@jkhenderson1]

It's amazing how beautiful the stain makes it look. Great job!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

Great video Kevin! I have about twelve bushel basket gourds drying right now and next year I plan to grow more. Summer gourds make for winter art projects. I’m acquainted with a man that once sold a painted gourd to a Japanese tourist for $1500. I make gourd art for gifts. They’re very versatile!

[@natalialopes719]

This is amazing. I love you guys as channel so much. Anything made from nature is wonderful thank you so much.

[@suzykamiyama26]

I love watching you guys!!! thanks so much for doing this...

[@cub221954]

Theres a home not far from me that have a bunch of gourds they painted white...they then put up a pole with several other little poles attached up at the top...they made it for the martins... is the neatest bird house I've ever seen. You can also make these gourds into feeding stations for the birds...beneficial for eating insects.

[@jessicagarrison1385]

Nice! Looks like it can be beautiful in-home decor as well!

[@aliverseidge]

Thank you. Great fun. Take care of yourselves.

[@donnieross8254]

Thats a great idea guys! I am planning to make some houses to keep birds around for insect control! Beautiful stuff!

[@swianecki]

Are you going to be selling these too? Great gifts for us "city folks". I used to have one but it finally deteriorated after a good 5 years. Thanks for mentioning the Martin house. My grandpa had a big 4 story Martin house that he built when I was a little girl. (Many, many years ago!). I can still picture it.

[@charlesflowers6189]

"God makes Beautiful Things". Amen brother.

[@waitinginawaterfall]

So beautiful, my uncle used to make these. Lovely video ❤️

[@bethmarcom6463]

Thanks for the instructions! Great, informative video!

[@wilmagregory8967]

Just beautiful, I'm growing them next summer on my hugle mound, hope I get a few at least. Hope you are healing well and no pain. Much love and respect, blessings.

[@tracyhayward1920]

Welcome back Kevin, the gourd looks amazing!

[@mfahrney1]

I can't wait to make my gourds into houses..thanks for the inspiration ♡ You guys are awesome! Ps. Sell extra seeds and gourds on ebay!