Birdhouse gourd is a hard-shelled gourd, a type of tropical squash (cucumber family, Cucurbitaceae) native to northern Africa. 

These gourds display curvy, hourglass shaped fruits that are often dried out and used for bottles and birdhouses.

Soil

Well-drained soil of average fertility.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

None. Morning glory is a warm-season annual.

Feeding

Mix a light application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid fertilizer to prolong bloom time.

Companions

Melon. Vigorous morning glory vines will twine up any type of support and grow into lush, heavy-blooming plants. They are at their best on a sturdy fence.

Spacing

Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)

Rows: 7" (20cm) with 7" (20cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow morning glory seeds indoors to get a head start, or you can plant the seeds where you want the plants to grow at about the time of your last spring frost.

Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Morning glory vines are fast climbers that will run up fences, poles, or taller plants such as sunflowers. Morning glory flowers close up during the afternoon hours.

Harvesting

Gather up the old vines after they are damaged by frost and compost them. Morning glories are related to tomatoes, sweet potatoes and other members of the nightshade family.

Troubleshooting

Many older strains of morning glory quickly become invasive weeds in warm summer climates. ‘Heavenly Blue’ and ‘Flying Saucers’ are safe choices because they set few seeds compared to many other varieties.

 Early-maturing and very tasty! Ripens quickly, resulting in heavy yields.

Dark orange, creamy texture.

White collars circling raised, cone-shaped, yellow centers and are less than an inch wide, growing on long, thin, light green stems. Sometimes chamomile grows wild and close to the ground, but you can also find it bordering herb gardens.

Buttercrunch, oakleaf, arugula, endive, chervil, verona red, mizuna, fennel, thai basil and peppercress. 

A vibrant garden medley bursting with flavor and color! Enjoy the crisp, buttery crunch of Buttercrunch, the tender, lobed leaves of Oakleaf, and the peppery zing of Arugula. Add slightly bitter Endive, delicate Chervil, bold Verona Red, and spicy Mizuna, balanced by aromatic Fennel, fragrant Thai Basil, and the sharp bite of Peppercress. Perfect for salads, garnishes, and culinary creations that pop with freshness.

Danish heirloom variety. Small heads 6-8". Harvest in summer.

Copenhagen Market Cabbage is a classic early-maturing variety known for its compact, round heads and dense, tightly packed leaves. The heads are medium-sized, typically 1.5–2.5 kg, with smooth, light green outer leaves and a crisp, pale interior. It’s prized for its reliability, uniform growth, and sweet, mild flavor.

Excellent raw in coleslaw and fresh salads due to its crisp texture

Great for steaming or boiling as a simple side dish

Ideal for stir-fries and sautéing with garlic or butter

Can be used for light fermentation (though better suited for fresh use than storage types)

Works well in soups, cabbage rolls, and braised dishes

Its tender leaves and mild taste make it especially versatile for everyday cooking.

Spicy Basil Globe really does have a spicy flavor, almost peppery but not so intense as arugula.

It's still got the sweetness of basil. It's a fun, different flavor profile that's a fabulous addition to any kitchen garden.

Spicy Globe' was likely cultivated in Greece.

Mild cabbage-like flavor.

Siberian kale has hardy white stems that run from the base of the root through the leaves.

The leaves of Siberian kale are large and flat with edges that have a ruffled shape.

Anaheim

The Anaheim pepper is a versatile chili pepper named for the city that made it popular. It is mild in flavor and heat, measuring 500-2,500 Scoville Heat Units.

The granddaddy of all future New Mexico green chile pod types! The Anaheim pepper was originally known as New Mexico No. 9. It was developed in 1913 by Dr. Fabian Garcia at New Mexico State University. He was seeking a chile pepper that was bigger, fleshier, and milder. Dr. Garcia later moved to California in the 1920s and started growing them in the Anaheim area. 

Pods are 7-1/2" long and 2" wide on productive 30” plants with good foliage cover for the fruit. TMV resistant. Capsicum annuum (80 days)

Heat Level: Mild  Scoville 500 -1000

~ Packet contains 30 seeds. 

In early spring, start seeds indoors 8 weeks prior to warm nightly temperatures. Place the seeds in sterile media and cover 1/4” deep. Provide 85°F bottom heat, bright light, and keep moist at all times. Seeds will germinate in 7 - 21 days. Transplant seedlings into pots and grow until there are 6 true leaves on the plant. Plant them directly into rich soil, 30” apart or into large 5-gallon containers. Harvest chiles when they are green. If left on the plant a couple more weeks, the chiles will turn red at full maturity.