This week we'll look at the hows and whys of growing gourds, on both an ornamental or functional level. Related to squash and cucumbers, few varieties are popular as edibles, but numerous types can serve in various ways. Most of the work of producing gourds comes not with the growing but with how they are treated after the harvest. Curing and cleaning are the first steps in a process that can produce bird houses, feeders, nifty containers, or art objects.