Tennessee Spinner

Gourd

Zone 5b Save Garden

Botanical illustration of Tennessee Spinner

🌱 100d to harvest Vine

Sink your senses into the Tennessee Spinner’s sculptural beauty: a long, elegant gourd that ripens to a rich, mottled skin and fe…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	May 18th
Last Frost	May 4th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 1st
Harvest Begins	Sep 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 5th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Lagenaria siceraria (Lagenaria) and what should I do?

For cucurbits like Lagenaria siceraria, powdery mildew and cucumber beetles are frequent problems during warm, humid stretches. Start by spacing plants for airflow and removing the oldest, most heavily spotted leaves; if mildew appears, treat early with a labeled fungicide for cucurbits. If you see leaf feeding and striping beetles, hand-pick adults and use a row cover until flowering, then remove covers when pollinators are active.

How often should I water Lagenaria siceraria during its main growing phase?

During active vine growth and fruit set, keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, increasing during hot spells. Water at the base in the morning and stop short of saturating the area around the stems, since soggy soil promotes rot. Mulch helps hold moisture steady, which is especially important once the fruits begin to enlarge.

How can I tell when Tennessee Spinner (Lagenaria siceraria) is ready to harvest?

Harvest timing is usually around 100 days after sowing, but rely on skin hardening: the fruit should feel firm and the surface should be tough enough that you can’t easily dent it with a fingernail. Check that the stem attachment has started to dry, and cut with a short stem rather than pulling. If you’re growing them for long-term storage/craft use, wait for full rind hardening before bringing them indoors to cure.

Sink your senses into the Tennessee Spinner’s sculptural beauty: a long, elegant gourd that ripens to a rich, mottled skin and feels satisfyingly firm with a dry, refined interior. When fully mature, it develops a distinctive “spinner” form—slender and gracefully curved—ideal for drying and display, with a clean, mellow character that holds its shape beautifully. Grow it for the pleasure of watching its vines climb and for the striking, heirloom silhouette it brings to the garden at season’s end.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 12 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

For ornamental/utility gourds like these, grow on vines with lots of sun and let shells fully cure on the plant for a hard, durable shell.