Bottle Gourd Growing Guide
Cucurbitaceae family
Days to Harvest60 days
SunlightFull Sun
Frost ToleranceNone
Spacing1/sqft (12" apart)
Germination7-14 days
HardinessTender
Germ. Temp85°F
Start Indoors4 weeks before last frost
Growth Stages
- Seedling
- Vining
- Flowering
- Fruiting / Harvest Ready
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Apr 27 | Jun 8 | Jun 8 | Sep 6 |
| Zone 1b | Apr 27 | Jun 8 | Jun 8 | Sep 6 |
| Zone 2a | Apr 17 | May 29 | May 29 | Aug 27 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 27 | Jun 8 | Jun 8 | Sep 6 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 24 | Jun 5 | Jun 5 | Sep 3 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 17 | May 29 | May 29 | Aug 27 |
| Zone 4a | Apr 7 | May 19 | May 19 | Aug 17 |
| Zone 4b | Apr 3 | May 15 | May 15 | Aug 13 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 31 | May 12 | May 12 | Aug 10 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 31 | May 12 | May 12 | Aug 10 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 31 | May 12 | May 12 | Aug 10 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 18 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | Jul 28 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 18 | Apr 29 | Apr 29 | Jul 28 |
| Zone 7b | Mar 13 | Apr 24 | Apr 24 | Jul 23 |
| Zone 8a | Mar 8 | Apr 19 | Apr 19 | Jul 18 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 22 | Apr 5 | Apr 5 | Jul 4 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 20 | Apr 3 | Apr 3 | Jul 2 |
| Zone 9b | Feb 10 | Mar 24 | Mar 24 | Jun 22 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 23 | Mar 6 | Mar 6 | Jun 4 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 31 | Feb 11 | Feb 11 | May 12 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 31 | Feb 11 | Feb 11 | May 12 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 18 | Jan 29 | Jan 29 | Apr 29 |
| Zone 12a | Dec 4 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Apr 15 |
| Zone 12b | Dec 4 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Apr 15 |
| Zone 13a | Dec 4 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Apr 15 |
| Zone 13b | Dec 4 | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Apr 15 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Bottle Gourd?
Bottle Gourd takes approximately 60 days from planting to harvest.
How much sun does Bottle Gourd need?
Bottle Gourd requires full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight per day).
How far apart should I plant Bottle Gourd?
Plant Bottle Gourd at 1/sqft (12" apart) using square foot gardening spacing.
Can Bottle Gourd survive frost?
Bottle Gourd is frost-sensitive and should not be exposed to frost.
How long does Bottle Gourd take to germinate?
Bottle Gourd seeds germinate in 7-14 days at an optimal temperature of 85°F.
When should I start Bottle Gourd seeds indoors?
Start Bottle Gourd seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant 2 weeks after last frost.
Plan Your Bottle Gourd Garden
Track Bottle Gourd from seed to harvest with personalized frost dates, watering recommendations, and companion planting visualization.
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