Gourd - Hard-shelled - Birdhouse
The Gourd Hard-shelled Birdhouse, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is commonly used to make birdhouses, pots, planters, bowls, toys, and hanging baskets. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds such as Birdhouse will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. Birdhouse gourds makes a great birdhouse. You can leave the natural color or paint it any color you want. Plant in the spring, 2 to 4 weeks after the last average frost date and when soil temperatures have risen above 60 degrees. Place the gourds in full sun. The soil must be well drained and have lots of organic material. Gourds should be kept evenly moist and at the end of the season keep them on the dry side. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines. ... additional info
Clary Sage The Clary Sage, 'Salvia sclarca', is a truly spectacular plant with fountains of 3' tall flower stems. The flowers are pale lilac, 1 inch long tubular blooms, with very prominent rose-red bracts on 2 to 3 foot tall square stems. The Clary Sage blooms in summer through early fall. The soil must be well drained and not overly fertile. Clary Sage is used for tea, and the fresh or dried leaves are used the same way as sage. The leaves are also used to make sachets and potpourri.
