Apple Gourds, Etc.

I've written several entries about the Birdhouse gourds that Tom grows.  Here is one I wrote in June of 2012.

http://windyacresnaturalfarm.blogspot.com/2012/06/gourds-running-rampant.html

However, we had record-breaking drought and heat that summer and by August those same vines looked dead.  Here's an entry I wrote at that time.

http://windyacresnaturalfarm.blogspot.com/2012/08/gourd-graveyard.html

But, gourds are amazingly resilient.  After the weather cooled and we got a little bit of rain, they made a miraculous recovery and began to grow again.

http://windyacresnaturalfarm.blogspot.com/2012/10/gourds-revived.html

I'm happy to report that we are still growing Birdhouse gourds and last year Tom added another variety of gourd called an Apple gourd.  Here's what they look like.

They are shaped like apples and are covered with beautiful patterns of light and dark green.  They vary in size, but are generally about 6 inches in diameter.  They will eventually dry and turn a light brown color.  Once dry, they can be painted.  Many people like to paint them red so they look like (would you believe) apples.