Hang your gourd houses with openings away from the prevailing winds. Making birdhouses from gourds is as easy as it is interesting. If the gourd is mature and properly preserved and stored in off season, it may last for years. Some gourd birdhouse last well over 100 years and can bring pleasure to several generations. The longevity of all gourds can be extended by wiping their surfaces with a cloth dampened with a non-bleaching household disinfectant such as equal parts of vinegar and water.
Wax gourds with a colorless paste wax, then buff to a shiny patina with a soft cloth.
A hard, glossy appearance can be obtained by applying a coat of clear varnish. Children's Classes 2001 Ashcombe will continue to offer the popular Children's Gardening Classes in 2001, although there will be several changes. The following is a partial list of classes for the upcoming year. The full calendar will be available by November 1st. Pre-registration is required for all classes, as they are limited to 20 children each.