Gourds, the Vegetables That are Actually Fruit!

Are you familiar with gourds? The name refers to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Well, “vegetable” technically isn’t true. All gourds are actually fruit, as they are formed from an ovary and contain seeds. Knowing this, we will still refer to some gourds as vegetables throughout this article, as that is the common term for them.

So, we’ve discovered that gourds are technically fruits, but practically vegetables. Let’s get more specific now:

• Gourds refer to the fruit taken from flowering plants in the family Cucurbitaceae which contains 98 genera and about 975 species. 
• This includes gourds that keep the name, like bottle gourds and apple gourds, as well as other vegetables like pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash. 
• There are even traditional fruits in this grouping! Melons like watermelon, honeydew, and cantaloupe are all members of Cucurbitaceae. 
• Finally, some gourds have especially hard shells. These gourds are in a genus called lagenaria, which includes the aforementioned bottle gourd. Once the inside has been removed, the hard shell found in this genus has been repurposed as a water bottle or instrument (think maracas) by humans since early history.

Growing Gourds

When you’re growing gourds, make sure you’re accounting for their long growing season. More common produce like tomatoes and strawberries can be harvested in 70-80 days on average. Gourds routinely take over 100 days to harvest, and it’s not unheard of to take over 120 days. To account for this, make sure that you’re starting seeds inside around 4 weeks before your last frost date.

You’ll also want to ensure that your gourds have a warm growing environment. In the USA, you’ll find gourds grown in southern and southwestern states. Still, gourds are not desert plants. They do not do well in extreme heat and require a steady supply of water to flourish. Gourds, like many plants, thrive in damp soil that is not waterlogged. They especially benefit from liberal amounts of compost and mulch around their growing area. Try to make sure there is at least 4 feet of space (6 feet is ideal) between your gourds to allow room for the vines to spread.

Gourd Use in Human History

After certain types of gourds, like the bottle gourd, are fully mature, the insides can be
scooped out and the shell can be repurposed. It’s estimated that humans have been cultivating gourds for over 10,000 years, using them as a source of food and as an accessory for practical, everyday life to rare ceremonies. Here’s a quick list of some of the more noteworthy uses.

1. Containers: Tupperware and Hydro Flasks haven't been around for all of human history. Gourd shells were a convenient way to store harvested grains, spices, and water, especially when you considered that alternative storage containers were hand woven or taken from animals (sheepskin, animal bladders)

2. Gourds were part of the first musical instruments ever created. Placing seeds or small stones in a dried gourd creates a simple maraca. A large gourd could be cut open, hollowed out, then covered with an animal skin to create a makeshift drum. Music naturally led to religious ceremonies, where gourds could also contain offerings or be used as a bowl to smoke hallucinogenic herbs.

3. Gourds even found a use in fishing! A hollow gourd is naturally buoyant. When attached to the ends of a net, the net will stay afloat in water.

Fun Facts

Interested in learning more about gourds? Get in the fall spirit with some fun facts!

We just mentioned how gourds are buoyant in the last section, which led to them being used in fishing. However, it’s speculated that the bottle gourd was used to getting wet long before humans got the idea to toss it in a river. The bottle gourd has a very durable shell, which allowed it to drift along ocean currents from Africa to Asia and the Americas long before humans established trading networks.

 
1. While the bottle gourd might be originally from Africa, everyone’s favorite harbinger of fall, the pumpkin, is native to North America. Still, pumpkins are a bit misleading. While we love associating them with fall, the pumpkin is technically a type of winter squash. Today, pumpkins are grown on every continent (with the natural expectation of Antarctica).

2. If you were shocked to find out that pumpkins are a winter squash, you’ll be astounded when you realize that jack-o-lanterns were not always associated with pumpkins. Initial jack-o-lanterns were carved in turnips! When Irish immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were much easier to work with than turnips, presumably due to the larger surface area of a pumpkin and the harder shell.

3. Jack-o-lanterns take their inspiration from the will-o’-the-wisp, a phenomenon that’s both based in reality and folklore. In reality, a will-o’-the-wisp is caused by the oxidization of swamp gases, which can spontaneously combust and emit light. In European folklore, the will-o’-the-wisp is a wayward spirit that imitates a lantern’s light to lead travelers from safe paths to their doom.

4. Let’s not forget about the distinctly fruity gourds out there. In Japan, watermelons
are often grown in the shape of a cube. While there are some claims that this is the most practical way to grow watermelon floating around the internet, the truth is that this cube shape is just ornamental. In order to maintain its cube shape, a watermelon must be harvested before it is edible. At least it won’t roll off the table when you’re showing it to your friends! See it here!

-Robin @ ARBICO Organics

How to Keep Stink Bugs from Overwintering in Your Home

There's a smell in your house. It's not a very pleasant smell - it reminds you of cilantro and rotting vegetables.

It’s a stink bug, and with the weather getting colder across the USA, stink bugs try to overwinter in residential homes.  

Although stink bugs are a common garden pest known for their ability to chew through a wide variety of common plants, their unpleasant odor makes them unique among pests. 

• Stink bugs can enter diapause, a state of suspended development that allows the bug to wait out the unfavorable seasons. 

• Every fall, stink bugs look for a place to slumber through the winter, and they are particularly fond of modern homes.

• Brown marmorated stink bugs are roughly the size and shape of a large peanut. 

• Alternating light and dark markings on their antennae give them a distinctly “woody” appearance, and their abdomen is easily recognizable, being wider at the back then tapering towards the head. 

• They are able to flatten their bodies in order to squeeze into surprisingly slim gaps, and once a bug has found a cozy corner to hole up for the winter, it will emit a pheromone to attract additional stink bugs to the location. This pheromone is different from the rotting cilantro smell that stink bugs are infamous for. 

• While you won’t hear stink bugs if they are overwintering, they do also emit a distinct buzzing when they fly.

To prevent stink bugs from invading your home, seal any cracks or gaps in your home's exterior, including around windows, doors, and utility pipes. You can also use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these openings. If the stink bugs decide that they like your home, future generations will continue to return every winter if it remains accessible.

Controlling brown marmorated stink bugs can be challenging, but there are several strategies you can employ. It’s also important to note that killing a stink bug will not cause more to appear. There is no death pheromone. However, leaving the bugs alive will result in more showing up due to the pheromones stink bugs emit when they’re in a safe location.

1. Handpicking: While time-consuming, handpicking and disposing of the bugs can be effective for small infestations.
2. Insecticidal Soaps: These soaps can be effective against young nymphs but may not be as effective against adult bugs.
3. Insecticidal Sprays: Pyrethrin-based insecticides can be used to kill adult bugs on contact. Neem Oil is also another good option for dealing with large adult populations.
4. Biological Control: Natural enemies, such as predatory insects, can help to control populations of brown marmorated stink bugs. Encouraging and introducing beneficial insects, such as the assassin bug, in your garden can be a natural way to reduce pest populations. While this method of pest control is great for gardens, it is an obviously poor fit for exterminating stink bugs that have invaded your home.
5. Sticky Traps: Worried the crack you sealed up is actually secure? Try setting out some sticky traps. Adults are likely to fly into them when scouting a place to overwinter - stink bugs are actually somewhat clumsy fliers.

Have more questions? Did you know you can call us at ARBICO Organics to speak directly to a specialists who can share valuable information regarding your specific pests and available solutions? Pick up to the phone and give us a ring! We are in office Monday-Fridays from 8am-4:30pm MST and off evening and weekends. You can reach us at 800-827-2847! 

 - Robin @ ARBICO Organics

Winterizing Your Garden: Key Steps to Stop Pests and Pathogen This Fall

The best time to prepare your garden is right after the growing season ends! 

Getting a head start on pest prevention during the fall and into the winter can do so much for your spring and summer gardens. As winter draws near, overwintering pests may see your garden and greenhouse as a safe haven. But little do they know, you’re about to take the right steps to keep them out this winter.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• How to use beneficial nematodes to reduce overwintering pest populations.

• The importance of soil testing and amending for pest-resistant spring plantings.

• Key strategies for sanitizing, cleaning, and planning pest and disease control.

Let’s explore the essential steps to prepare your garden or greenhouse for winter while promoting long-term pest control and plant health.

 

Using Beneficial Nematodes to Your Advantage

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worm-like creatures that can seek out and destroy soil-dwelling pests, like pupating grubs, root maggots, and caterpillars. 

Many pests will burrow down into the soil to escape freezing temperatures and will stay there until they emerge as adults in the spring.

These nematodes can be purchased and applied throughout your garden and greenhouse space. However, be sure to read the instructions for proper application. The optimal time to apply them is usually when the soil temperatures are between 42°F – 95°F.

Nematodes are great at targeting and reducing any pupating pests before they settle in for winter. This helps prevent any spring pest outbreaks and helps your plants grow unhindered by pest damage.

To give your nematodes the best conditions to thrive, make sure your soil is moist and you increase the organic matter in the soil with compost and amendments. Check out our FAQs page about nematodes to learn more about how to properly apply them.

 
Soil Testing and Amending for a Pest-Resistant Garden in Spring

A healthy, balanced soil creates healthier, pest-resistant plants. The best time to test your soil health is during the fall, so you can better understand your nutrient levels, pH balance, and organic matter content. That way, you’ll be able to add the perfect amount of amendments to get your plants off on the right start.

Nutrient deficiencies can lead to stressed plants, which are more susceptible to pests. Conversely, nutrient-rich, well-balanced soil promotes a higher brix level in plants. Higher brix levels create stronger plants, which also makes them less attractive to pests like aphids and caterpillars.

If you’re to boost your soil health after a soil test, consider these amendments:

• Organic matter: Adding compost, manure, or leaf mold helps improve soil structure, encourages beneficial microbes, and increases water retention, all of which promote strong, healthy plant growth.

• Lime or sulfur: Depending on your soil’s pH results, you may need to raise or lower the pH to reach an optimal level for plant growth. Adjusting the pH to the proper range for your crops can reduce the likelihood of nutrient imbalances that attract pests.

• Minerals and fertilizers: If your soil test reveals deficiencies in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, adding the appropriate organic fertilizers can help.

By testing and amending your soil in the fall, you’ll be ready for spring planting with the best conditions possible.

 
Prevent and Control Diseases with Biological Agents

Not only should you be preparing and planning for insect pests, but plant diseases and pathogens should be on your mind too.

Plant diseases are often caused by pathogens that can persist in the soil or plant debris through the winter. These pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, can be present on dead plant material or in the soil and can easily infect new plants in the spring.

To prevent this, remove and dispose of any diseased or infected plant material.

Clearing dead leaves, stems, and other debris from your garden is crucial, as this organic matter can harbor diseases and pests.

To better prevent the spread of these pathogens, consider these tips:

• Organic fungicides: Apply copper or sulfur-based sprays to protect against fungal diseases like powdery mildew, blight, and rust.

• Beneficial bacteria and fungi: Use organisms like Bacillus subtilis or mycorrhizal fungi to outcompete harmful pathogens and support root health.

• Crop rotation and cover crops: Rotate crops to break disease cycles and plant cover crops, like clover or rye, to improve soil health and suppress disease.

• Sanitization: Clean and disinfect greenhouses, tools, and containers to remove lingering pathogens and prevent disease spread.

By incorporating these disease prevention strategies in the fall, you’ll create a cleaner, healthier growing environment for the spring. Reducing pathogen presence now will lead to fewer disease issues and healthier plants next season.

 
Clean Up and Planning for Next Season

Insect pests will be looking for a cozy spot to get through the winter. That means that you should eliminate these hiding spots as soon as possible. Pests will often hide under leaves, plant debris, rocks, or leaves. Clearing these away and disposing of them will eliminate any pests that are trying to get through the winter undisturbed.

Additionally, row covers can be an excellent tool to protect your plants from both pests and cold weather. 

They create a barrier that keeps pests like aphids, beetles, and moths from accessing your crops while also providing insulation.

Make sure to secure row covers tightly to prevent pests from sneaking in and damaging crops as the temperatures drop. This will help you maintain healthy fall plantings while protecting your soil for spring.

Every avid gardener gets through the winter by dreaming, scheming and planning what the next growing season will look like. As you plan out your garden, consider adding companion planting and crop rotation to your strategies in preventing pests from ruining your crops.

Alongside pest prevention, it’s important to create an environment that supports beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory wasps, which naturally help control pests. Planting flowers such as alyssum, yarrow, and dill in your garden can attract these helpful predators and provide them with food and shelter.

Preparing your garden or greenhouse in the fall is one of the most effective ways to prevent overwintering pests and set the stage for a healthier growing season. By taking proactive steps now, you can reduce pest pressure, support beneficial organisms, and give your plants the best chance for success in the spring.

With the right preparation now, you’ll enjoy a more productive, resilient garden in the seasons to come. Make sure to check out Arbico Organic’s full line of products to produce the best garden yet next year!