A gourd is a hard-shelled durable fruit that is not good to eat and is grown for ornament, utensils and general interest. There are many varieties within the gourd family, some examples are bottle gourd, pear gourd, swan gourd, kettle, dipper and many, many more.
Some common uses are instruments, birdhouses, containers, indian art and jewelry.
Raising gourds takes patience and perserverance. It can take up to a year from planting to the actual decorating of a gourd. Gourds need good irrigation and depending on the variety you grow, some need a trellis. I'm not saying this to discourage you in any way, but rather to let you know that there is work involved. When the stem of the gourd withers and turns brown, it's harvest time.