If you are going to use gourds for craft projects then you will likely need to dry them. You may think that drying gourds is a simple and straightforward technique. In many ways, this is true. But, there is an art to it. If you dry them properly you could end up with a beautiful finished project that would be great as a decoration or as part of a larger craft projects.

There are several different varieties of gourds. Gourds have along tradition of being used for certain things. Items such as cups, dishes, instruments, and other household goods and items have been made out of gourds in the past. There is an art to drying out a gourd and creating something useful. Nowadays, we don’t need gourds to add to our dishes supply. However, we still enjoy using them to do our projects. Not to mention the fact that dried gourds are great on their own as a fall decoration.

Are you wondering how to go about drying gourds? The technique is pretty straightforward. First, you will need to select some gourds for drying. It is best to dry them after you find the ripest ones. If you grow gourds yourself or have access to a patch, this is the best source to get them from. If not, you will have to deal with what they have in the stores. However, keep in mind that these gourds are often already dried.

Next you will need to trim the stem and clean the gourd. It is very important that there be no dirt on the gourd itself. If you decide to rinse it, make sure you dry it thoroughly with paper towels. Extra moisture can cause the gourd to get moldy. However, keep in mind that mold accumulating is part of the process. You will need to tie a string to the stem or a rubber band. Gourds dry best when they are hung up. If you notice mold growing, you can wipe it off with bleach. The whole process should take about a month. Once the gourd is dry you can use it in things like wreaths and centerpieces or let it stand out on its own.