Question
Hello, I am not sure if a goard is a vegetable or not but I thought I would give you a shot!  I have planted some goards and the plant is growing like crazy but no goards are forming.  Is there something special that needs to be done?
Thank You
Kimberly

Answer
Gourds are considered to be vegetables, even though they are grown more for their decorative habit than for eating.

For gourds or any other squash to grow healthy large fruit, you need soil high in phosphorus and potassium.  Many of today's fertilizers are too hogh in nitrogen.  This is great for lawns or leafy vegetables, but not for flowering or fruit-bearing plants.  Nitrogen tends to produce lush foliage at the expense of producing blossoms and fruit.  

My advice is to supplement your soil this fall with as much organic matter as possible.  This would include compost, aged manure, dried grass clippings, shredded leaves, and peat moss.  For this year, fertilize with a high phosphorus water-soluble product with a nutrient ratio of 5-20-10.  The first number represents nitrogen, the second phosphorus, and the third potassium.  You can purchase this at most garden centers or nurseries.  The ratio does not have to be exactly what I gave, but close.

Finally, make sure you have enough bees in the area to pollinate the blossoms on the gourds.  You can attract them by planting colorful annuals or perennials in the area.  Without proper pollination, the plants will drop the blossoms and not produce gourds.

I hope this answered your question.  Good luck, and have a nice weekend.

Regards,

Mike