Gorgeous Gourds

Advice from the Experts

* Botanically, all gourds and squash are from the same genus called Cucurbita. "Unlike pumpkins [and other kinds of squash], gourds are grown for ornamental not culinary purposes," says Ron Vanderhoff, head horticulturist at Roger's Garden, Corona del Mar, California.

* Choose gourds with very hard shells and no visible cracks. Warts and bumps are desirable characteristics. "They add character," notes Vanderhoff.

* "Don't overdecorate gourds and squash," says Eric Cortina, creative director at Roger's Garden. "They're beautiful on their own. I often group 50 of them on the porch -- the more, the better," he says. "They also look great with natural elements, like flowers and berries."

Family Circle Tips

* Carving squash is messy work -- do it outdoors or in the garage and use plenty of newspaper.

* Gourds are drier than pumpkins and have hard shells so they last longer after carving.

Copyright © 2006. Used with permission from the November 2006 issue of Family Circle magazine.