Many gourds are cultivated as ornamentals or food crops, and some can be dried and used to make utensils, cups, bottles, scoops, ladles, fishnet floats, whistles, rattles, art, and other useful objects.
 
Most gourds are native to tropical or warm temperate climates. They require a five month growing season to mature and are killed by frost. Well-drained fertile soil and a trellis, fence, or wall to provide support for the vines aid in the development of well-shaped unblemished fruits.
 
In Polynesia, gourds and taro are grown in shallow hollows to retain moisture. Polynesians built stone walls and rows for shelter and as boundaries around the gardens. We also use fences and shallow ditches. These methods were brought to Aotearoa, where we quickly learned to adapt our planting regimes and techniques to the cooler climate.
 
The growing season is restricted to the warmer months, and we may add coarse sand and gravel to soil – to improve drainage, increase the temperature, and extend the period of plant growth. This was particularly important from Marlborough South to the Banks Peninsula (also the southern limit of kūmara growing).
 
10 seeds per pack