Making Birdhouses from Homegrown Gourds
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ธ.ค. 2018
- In the summer of 2017 we grew birdhouse gourds in our garden. We have allowed them to dry for the past year in the top of our barn and it is now time to turn them into birdhouses.
If you are interested in growing and making your own birdhouses, here is a great link. www.amishgourds.com/store/page...
#birdhousegourd #homegrowngourd #homestead #sustainable
To see the products we use and recommend from Amazon visit our Amazon Store at: www.amazon.com/shop/livingtra...
Etsy Shop
www.etsy.com/shop/livingtradi...
Also check out our Etsy Store for handmade items from the homestead: www.etsy.com/shop/LivingTradi...
Our new rabbit cookbook can be found here:
Printed Copy: bit.ly/rabbitcookbook
Amazon Kindle Version: amzn.to/2zelDTu
***** Connect with Us! We'd Love to get to know you! *****
Website: www.LivingTraditionsHomestead.com
Facebook: livingtraditionshomestead
Instagram: living_traditions
***** Email Us *****
info@livingtraditionshomestead.com
Send Snail Mail to:
Living Traditions Homestead
PO Box 323
Ava, MO 65608
***** About Living Traditions Homestead *****
Living Traditions Homestead is all about living a simple and sustainable way of life. We believe the world has gotten too “busy” and that people are missing out on many of the true blessings this world has to offer. We started as a small urban homestead in Gilbert, AZ and after the city grew up around us, decided it was time leave corporate America and take a big leap of faith by moving our family to the Missouri Ozarks.
We put out 5 new videos every week! Tuesday through Saturday. We hope you will become part of our homestead family by subscribing to our channel and watching as we transition from city dwellers to full time homesteaders!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
We are starting to add gourd birdhouses to our Etsy shop. Check them out here. www.etsy.com/shop/LivingTraditionsMO
Just purchased! Excited to put it up- thanks!!
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.
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.
Except for a rabbit cook book, there is nothing on etsy.
Have been trying to find somewhere to buy then . I like to decorate them. I Will check out your Etsy
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.
What a lovely idea!
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.
The world needs more people like you, God bless you
I love how he says "God makes beautiful things". I really could live with them.
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.
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.
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!
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.
great idea...
@@millermeadows6359 cheers.
Would have made great Christmas gifts.
how would you attach it Cae? like a roof with toothpicks?
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.
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
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
GOD STILL HAS PLANS FOR YOU AND WHAT THE ENEMY STEALS OUR FATHER WILL REWARD BACK TO YOU JUST REMEMBER THAT
That manager needs a rabid tazmanian devil placed in his trousers. Grandma i'll help you plant him in some fertilizer.
God bless you
Gourd~ious !! Thanks Kevin, Glad you're up and around, and Taking it Easy
Like the play on words
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!!
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.
That was enjoyable! Thanks and God Bless you as well! 🙌🐦
Gorgeous birdhouse! Thank you for the great video.
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!
Thanks! Great idea! I’m definitely going to randomly plant them on the farm, in the woods, like you said!!! Awesome!
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.
They really look nice varnished, it brings out the design of the gourd.
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.
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.
I was about to write the same thing, it's works great. Lots of all-natural oils and waxes to choose from.
It looks like an Italian marble birdhouse! Simply beautiful!
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!
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!
Michael is correct.
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.
good day to you Kevin and Sarah !! thanks for sharing another awesome update and adventures on & off the homestead 👨🌾🎥👍✝
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
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!
I love these as bird houses! What a clever idea. 😃👍
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
I like that idea of spreading the seeds around in the woods. I'm anxious to find out how that has worked for you.
Thank you for the tutorial - that is absolutely gorgeous.
Love the bird houses, gourds really did well
Wow! Thanks for sharing! That is such a cool birdhouse!
Yes, enjoyed the video very much.
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.
Looks good. Glad to see your up and about.
I love watching you guys!!! thanks so much for doing this...
Welcome back Kevin, the gourd looks amazing!
Glad to see you up and around, I love 💕 your videos thanks for sharing
Good to see you! Yes, they are so fun to make, AND watch become homes!
Thank you Kevin! Protecting the garden : )
Loved this video. Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to grow gourds!!
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.
Loved this video. That is a great craft, easy and fun.
Kevin they are beautiful! I've been waiting for this video...I'm glad to see your doing well, take it easy.
Found this by completely by accident. So, cool. Y'all never cease to amaze me Kevin
Blessings, julie
Thank you. Great fun. Take care of yourselves.
This makes me excited to grow our gourds for next year!
That was very cool! Thanks for showing us how to make that! Have a good day!
Thanks Kevin, wonderful video! It's lovely to see you up and about and doing well!
Nice! Looks like it can be beautiful in-home decor as well!
Very handy list of preferred bird holes! Thank you!
Super cool project with beautiful results! Nice job!
Wow, love your drying method! 🐦
I love gourd bird houses. It is beautiful.
I really enjoy all of y'all's craft ideas
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.
It's amazing how beautiful the stain makes it look. Great job!
WoW!!! So very nice!!
Natural birdhouse , beautiful🙂
You are so inspirational! Thanks for posting, beautiful!
Lovely! We grew them two years ago and they did very well.
This is amazing. I love you guys as channel so much. Anything made from nature is wonderful thank you so much.
I grew them one year and made the mistake of putting bird seed inside one. The squirrels tore it apart to get to the seeds! My sister used wood stain on hers and they were beautiful! I still have one years later. It really protected the outside.
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! :)
Good looking bird house.
You guys do the coolest stuff! Thanks for sharing! I might just include birdhouse gourds in our first garden in 2019.
Most impressive. We learned something today because of you. Thanks.
I loved this so much! Beautiful work! Makes me want to grow them!. I'm sure they would sell great too
Kevin - You are a good gourd guy!
I purchase seeds for these last week! So excited to give it a try! Thank you for all your helpful videos!
Gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial! 🐦
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.
Lovely project. It looks like a beautifully carved piece of wood.
Great video, nothing but the facts.
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.
It's beautiful.
That did turn out nice Kevin. I want to plant some of those next year and make bird houses. Glad you're doing better after your surgery. God bless you all. You have a Merry Christmas and a most prosperous and healthy 2019
Very Cool... add a small dowel just below the opening for a perch... because even birds like a porch!
Thank you for sharing this video I will be making our bird houses next spring after they dry
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.
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.
Thanks for the instructions! Great, informative video!
That gourd you prepared is gorgeous
Awesome! I hope to grow some soon!
So beautiful, my uncle used to make these. Lovely video ❤️
Good to see you up and about Kevin
That was great I never knew that you could make bird houses out of gourds. I think I might get some seeds and plant along my tree line
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 !
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.
Thank you, I enjoyed learning how to do this. God Bless You Too.
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!
Love it..can't wait to do this..thank you..
Beautiful job on the birdhouse. The natural look is really nice. You'll have to let us know when someone takes up residence. 👍
They look real nice
Great idea! Please keep us posted for sure on them growing wild in your forest!
I want one or two of those houses! Love them!!!
wow.. I grow just 3 plants and I harvested 86
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 .
I love those birdhouses!
Very pretty. I have some that came up wild in my area. I am going to try that.
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!