How to Make a Gourd Birdhouse (DIY Nesting Box)
- Step 1: Find and Clean a Gourd. Find a gourd that has been drying for at least 3-6 months. ...
- Step 2: Drill a Bird Entrance Hole in the Gourd. ...
- Step 3: Clean the Inside of the Gourd. ...
- Step 4: Optionally Paint Your Gourd Birdhouse. ...
- Step 5: Hang or Mount Your Gourd Birdhouse. ...
How do you make an edible Birdhouse?
- Birdhouse - you can either make one or buy one for fairly cheap at a craft store
- Edible Glue - there are many recipes out there, or you can even just use peanut butter. ...
- Different types of birdseed, raisins, dried fruit, raw nuts, etc.
- Decoration - I went outside and gathered some pretty stalks of grass, holly berries, and sweetgum tree balls. ...
How to make birdhouse out of popsicle sticks?
These are the materials required for this Instructable:
- Popsicle Sticks - You can pick up a bag of 100 popsicle sticks at your local hobby store. ...
- Hot Glue - You will also need a hot glue gun and some hot glue sticks. ...
- Finger Paints - In order to show how easily you can make this seemingly complex design, I used finger paints instead of acrylics or other expensive paints. ...
How to build a rustic Birdhouse?
How to Build a Rustic Decorative Birdhouse
- Rustic Birdhouse Designs
- Decorative Birdhouses Built for the Birds. ...
- The Cutting List: These birdhouses were made from inexpensive pine boards that are readily available from the local home center, and from leftover pieces of wood from the scrap box ...
- Birdhouse Entrance Holes: Size Matters! ...
- The Right Tool for the Job: 1-1/2" Forstner Drill Bit
How to build a Bluebird house out of a gourd?
Overview of Steps To Make A Gourd Birdhouse
- Grow Gourds grow on long vines similar to pumpkins and squash. ...
- Dry Gourds need to be spread out in an area with adequate ventilation or they can be left outdoors on the vine. ...
- Clean Gourds can be cleaned completely down to the bare yellow skin or they can be left with the natural markings from the drying process. ...
How long does it take for a gourd to dry out?
Approximately one to two weeks will be required for the outer skin to dry and harden. Internal drying will take several additional weeks. The gourds have been adequately dried when the seeds rattle inside.
How do you turn a birdhouse into a gourd?
InstructionsDrill the Doorway. ... Clean the Inside of the Gourd. ... Smooth Out the Gourd. ... Clean With Bleach. ... Drill Holes for Wire. ... Insert the Wire for Hanging. ... Create a Perch. ... Paint the Birdhouse.More items...•
How long do birdhouse gourds take to dry?
It can take two to three months for birdhouse gourds to completely dry, so be patient. Once dried, these gourds can be painted or decorated according to your tastes.
How do you make a dried gourd birdhouse?
How to Turn a Gourd into a Birdhouse DirectionsUse pumpkin carving tool and cut a circle into belly of gourd. ... Lightly sand outside of gourd with 220-grit sandpaper. ... Drill horizontally through top of gourd, using a bit the same size as wooden dowel. ... Draw design onto gourd with pencil, and trace with paint pen.More items...•
How big should the hole be in a gourd birdhouse?
Soak the gourd in soapy water with a little bleach and then scrub the gourd with brush and steel wool. Let dry. Then drill four small holes 1/8” in the bottom of the gourd for drainage. With an adult's help drill a 3/8” hole just inside the circle of the gourd.
How big of a hole do you drill in a gourd birdhouse?
For instance, house wrens need a 1-inch entrance hole in a gourd 5 to 6 inches in diameter and prefer gourds hung in a shady area close to brush. Chickadees need a 1-1/4-inch hole and like to nest in wooded areas. Bluebirds and tree swallows require a 1-1/2-inch hole and prefer to nest in open areas.
How do you keep birdhouse gourds from rotting?
Gently clean the gourds to remove dirt and wipe them down with a diluted bleach solution – 2 tablespoons bleach to 1 gallon of water. This process removes bacteria and helps to prevent rotting. Gourds should be dried in an area that has good air circulation.
How do you keep gourds from rotting?
Wipe the gourds dry and spray lightly with a household disinfectant or mist with rubbing alcohol. Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do.
How do you know when a birdhouse gourd is ripe?
When do I harvest my birdhouse gourds and how do I do it? Harvest them when they are full-size, the skin is hardened, and the stem attached to the fruit turns brown. These thick-skinned gourds can take light frost.
What kind of gourd should I use for a birdhouse?
The most popular type of birdhouse gourd is the kettle gourd, also known as the martin gourd or the purple martin gourd. These gourds are pear shaped and range anywhere from 6” in diameter all the way up to 12” in diameter. For larger birds like the purple martin, they prefer a 9-10” kettle gourd.
How do you waterproof a gourd for a birdhouse?
Spray the gourd with a water seal. This will help to preserve the birdhouse for years to come. Hang. Pull twine or fine wire through the holes in the top of the gourd and hang the birdhouse in a area that is easy for you to see but sheltered so the birds will be safe from predators.
How do you cut a hole in a birdhouse gourd?
0:351:55Using your 5/16 of an inch drill bit drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the gourd. UsingMoreUsing your 5/16 of an inch drill bit drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the gourd. Using the same drill bit drill a hole on either side of the court. So that you can hang it with a string.
What kind of gourd should I use for a birdhouse?
The most popular type of birdhouse gourd is the kettle gourd, also known as the martin gourd or the purple martin gourd. These gourds are pear shaped and range anywhere from 6” in diameter all the way up to 12” in diameter. For larger birds like the purple martin, they prefer a 9-10” kettle gourd.
How do you seal birdhouse gourds?
Spray the gourd with a water seal. This will help to preserve the birdhouse for years to come. Hang. Pull twine or fine wire through the holes in the top of the gourd and hang the birdhouse in a area that is easy for you to see but sheltered so the birds will be safe from predators.
How long do birdhouse gourds take to grow?
You can purchase birdhouse gourd seeds from local nurseries or seed catalogs. It's preferable to get them into the ground as soon as the last frost date in your areas has passed since they can take anywhere from 125-140 days to mature.
Do birds like gourd birdhouses?
Gourds make excellent homes for birds and they are naturally attracted to them. You can grow your own or simply purchase a dry, hard-shelled gourd.
Step 1: Sand
The first step to cleaning up the gourds is lots of sanding. An electric sander speeds up this process, but sandpaper works just as well. When you have finished, the gourds should be lighter in color and very smooth. After you've cleaned the gourds, sand down the stem, leaving a small nub for attaching the eye bolt.
Step 2: Drill
Using the 1" Forsner bit, drill a hole in the main cavity of your gourd. This will be the entrance for your guests. At this point, you can take out a lot of the seeds and dried interior flesh, but make sure to leave a few seeds inside.
Step 3: Paint
Depending on your style, you can paint the gourds however you like or finish them with a clear sealant. The protective coating of paint or sealant will help your birdhouse last through the seasons. Hanging the gourds from the eye hooks while painting provides a convenient way to reach the entire surface.
Step 4: Hang
Find a spot within eye-shot of a window or porch and hang your birdhouses using the length of wire or cord. With luck it will have inhabitants before long.
Overview of Steps To Make A Gourd Birdhouse
Grow Gourds grow on long vines similar to pumpkins and squash. They can be grown trailing in a large garden or growing up a support such as a tree or strong trellis.
How To Grow Birdhouse Gourds
Birdhouse gourds are in the Cucurbitaceae family along with pumpkins and squash. Their growing habits and requirements are much the same as these close cousins of theirs too but I find them less susceptible to disease and pest than other plants in this family.
How to Dry Birdhouse Gourds
Gourds can either be dried indoors or outdoors. The main considerations for whether you want to dry indoors or outdoors are:
How To Clean Dried Gourds
Once the gourds are fully dried it is time to clean them up. Since the gourds have molds on them it is important to wear a mask for this part and it is best done outdoors.
How to Drill A Gourd Birdhouse
From gourd to gourd the thickness and hardness can vary quite a bit making each one unique to drill. Some feel almost like cork with the drill bit easily going through the gourd. While others are like a very hard wood and require a strong steady hand to get the drill bit to go through.
How To Decorate A Birdhouse Gourd
You can get as fancy or simple as you would like when decorating your gourd. Gourds work great with a wide variety of methods. The limit is your imagination.
How To Seal Birdhouse Gourds
To finish your birdhouse gourd it is important to use a high-quality outdoor sealer. My favorite choice is Varathane Clear Gloss Spar Urethane Spray Paint. It leaves the gourds well protected, shiny and beautiful, and it is really easy to apply.
What is Your Favorite Bird?
Before you buy or start making your own gourd birdhouse, it’s important to decide what species of bird you would like to attract.
What Type of Gourd is Best for Gourd Birdhouses?
There are several different types of gourds that make great birdhouses.
Where do I Find These Gourds?
One way to get these gourds is to grow them yourself. Here are a few things you’ll need to grow them yourself:
Drilling Holes for the Strap, Entrance, and Drainage
For this step you will need a drill, a ¼” drill bit, a 3/8” drill bit, and a hole saw. A hole saw is a drill bit with serrated edges in the shape of a circle – we will use this to drill the entrance hole.
Finishing the Gourd with Dye or Paint
Now comes the fun part: adding some color. The two most popular ways to do this are by dying and painting.
Step 1: Find and Clean a Gourd
Find a gourd that has been drying for at least 3-6 months. To check if your gourd is ready, shake the gourd and see if the seeds inside rattle. If the seeds rattle, then your gourd is ready! During the drying process, mold might grow on the gourd, especially if it is dried indoors.
Step 2: Drill a Bird Entrance Hole in the Gourd
The easiest way to create an entrance hole in the gourd is using a drill and a hole saw. The hole should be towards the center of the gourd. Avoid having the entrance hole facing the sky or the ground. Clean the edges of the hole with a piece of sandpaper. Also drill small drainage holes in the bottom of the gourd.
Step 3: Clean the Inside of the Gourd
After drilling the bird entrance hole shake the gourd or use a spoon to scrape out the inside of the gourd. You will find seeds on the inside that you can use in the future to plant and grow gourds.
Step 4: Optionally Paint Your Gourd Birdhouse
Optionally paint your gourd birdhouse. If you plan on adding decorative designs start with a white primer paint. After that dries, paint and decorate your birdhouse however you want. Be creative!
Step 5: Hang or Mount Your Gourd Birdhouse
Mount your birdhouse and see which bird will call your habitat home. See How to Hang a Birdhouse for tips on location, mounting, and placement. Find tips on Cleaning Birdhouses. Your new birdhouse should provide you excitement for many seasons to come.
What Type of Gourd Is Best For Birdhouses?
There are various types of gourds that you can use for birdhouses. The most popular type of gourd used for birdhouses is the bottle or kettle gourd. This gourd is pear-shaped. Make sure that the gourd you choose has a hard shell. Gourds are readily available at a farmer’s market.
Final Thoughts
All in all, making gourd birdhouses is a fruitful and enjoyable experience for everyone. If you are someone who enjoys bird watching and wish to attract more birds to your yard, gourd birdhouses are ideal for you. Now that you know how to make a gourd birdhouse, what are you waiting for? Find an old gourd and get started!
