Care & Tips | My Homestead Ish Kin

Gourd Care & Tips

If you’ve adopted one of my gourds (or you’re thinking about it), you’re in the right place!

Each gourd you bring home is grown, cleaned, and created with love — and while they are tough little things straight from nature, they do appreciate a little care to keep them looking their best for years to come.

This page will walk you through everything you need to know, including:

Where to hang your gourds
How to protect them from the elements
Simple repairs if something pops off
Tips to help them last as long as possible

Don’t worry — nothing here is complicated. I keep things real simple around here 😉

And remember… these aren’t just decorations.
They’re little homes, little pieces of art, and sometimes even little memory makers.

Now let’s take care of those gourds 💕

SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT THE SUN?

Ohhh this is a GOOD question!

The honest answer? Yes… and no.

The gourd itself can handle just about anything for a good long while. The paint, however, is where we need to pay attention.
I have upgraded my sealer to include protection against weather and sun, but you will still want to re-seal your gourd about once a year to keep it looking its best.

DIRECT SUNLIGHT ISN’T YOUR FRIEND

Direct sunlight all day, every day, for months will affect the paint.

Even with the upgraded sealer, the sun is tough on everything.

If you have owned anything before, you already know… the sun eventually takes its toll.

THE GOOD NEWS

If your gourd ever starts to fade or peel, you can always:

Lightly sand it
Repaint it
Make a fun memory out of it with your family

One of my favorite gourds — the one my Carolina Wren uses — was painted by my granddaughter, and that makes it extra special.

PROTECTING YOUR GOURD FROM THE SUN

Now that we’ve talked about sunlight, let’s talk about your best defense…

The sealer I personally use on all of my gourds is: Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane.

This is not your basic sealer — this one is made for outdoor use and helps protect against:

UV rays (the big one ☀️)
Moisture
General weather wear and tear

You can usually find it at your local Walmart, and while it may cost a little more than regular sealers, it is absolutely worth it.

WHY THIS MATTERS

The gourd itself is strong and long-lasting, but the paint is what needs protection from the sun.

Even with a high-quality sealer, constant direct sunlight over time can still cause fading or wear.

That’s why sealing is so important.

YEARLY MAINTENANCE

I always recommend giving your gourd a fresh coat of sealer once a year.

Do you have to? No.
Will it help your gourd last longer and look better? 100% yes.

Think of it as a little yearly refresh to keep your gourd protected and looking its best.

RAIN & MOISTURE

Alright, let’s talk about water 💧

Gourds can handle getting wet every now and then — it’s not the end of the world. But just like anything, constant moisture is not their friend.

FOR BIRD FEEDERS

If you’re using your gourd as a feeder, this is where you want to be a little more mindful.

Bird food + water = soggy, clumpy mess 😬

So it’s best to hang your feeder:

Under a porch
Under an awning
Or somewhere with a little cover

The inside of the gourd can dry out, but with all the little crevices, repeated soaking isn’t ideal.

FOR BIRDHOUSE GOURDS

If you’re using your gourd as a birdhouse, it can handle the elements better — but still…

Try to avoid areas where it will:

Stay wet for long periods
Get hit with constant heavy rain

BUILT-IN DRAINAGE (I’VE GOT YOU COVERED 😉)

Every gourd I create has at least 3 drain holes drilled into the bottom.

This helps:

Water drain out
Air flow through
The inside dry out faster

So even if your gourd does get wet, it’s designed to help take care of itself 💕

HELPFUL TIP

If you don’t have trees or a porch, no worries at all!

You can use a:

Garden hook
Or a bird feeder weather guard

to help protect your gourd from rain and direct exposure.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Rain happens — and your gourd will be just fine.

Just try to avoid constant soaking, and give it a little protection when you can.

Your gourd (and your birds!) will thank you 💕

REPAIRS: IF SOMETHING POPS OFF

Cat tail? Ear? Little arm? 👀
First of all — don’t panic!

These things happen, and the good news is…
👉 it’s an easy fix.

With proper care, your gourd can last for years, and a small repair is just part of the journey sometimes.

HOW TO FIX IT

You can glue it right back on at home!

Here’s how:

Clean the area where the piece came off
Remove any old glue or leftover bits
If something broke off inside, gently remove that too
Add a good amount of strong glue
Press the piece back into place
Let it sit overnight (no touching 😄)

And just like that — good as new!

WHAT KIND OF GLUE SHOULD I USE?

Use a strong adhesive like:

Gorilla Glue
E6000 <--- MY CHOICE!
Or any heavy-duty craft glue

The stronger, the better — these pieces live outdoors!

NEED TO TOUCH UP THE PAINT?

If your repair needs a little color touch-up, no worries at all.

You can:

Bring your gourd with you to the store
Match the color as closely as possible
Or message me and I’ll help you find the right one

Most of my paints are easy to match and readily available.

BOTTOM LINE

Don’t stress over small damage — your gourd is meant to be enjoyed, not babied.

A little glue and a little love goes a long way 💕

HOW TO RE-SEAL YOUR GOURD

Giving your gourd a fresh coat of sealer once a year is one of the best things you can do to keep it looking beautiful and lasting for years.

Don’t worry — it’s super simple!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane (spray)
A clean, dry gourd

STEP-BY-STEP

Make sure your gourd is clean and completely dry
Lightly wipe off any dust or debris
Take your gourd outside or to a well-ventilated area
Spray a light, even coat over the outside of the gourd
Avoid spraying the inside (we keep that safe for the birds)
Let it dry completely

If needed, you can apply a second light coat for extra protection.

BEST TIME TO DO THIS

Once a year is ideal
On a dry day with low humidity
Avoid rainy or damp conditions

PRO TIP

Keep your spray light and even — don’t drench it.

A couple of thin coats will always work better than one heavy coat.

WHY THIS MATTERS

This simple step helps:

Protect your paint from sun damage
Add water resistance
Keep your gourd looking fresh and vibrant

BOTTOM LINE

A quick yearly spray = longer life, better color, happier gourd 💕

MORE TIPS:

CLEANING YOUR BIRDHOUSE GOURD

Birds will usually clean it out themselves
If needed, you can gently remove old nesting material at the end of the season
Do not use chemicals or sprays inside

WIND / SECURING YOUR GOURD

Make sure it’s hung securely
Strong winds can knock them around
Use sturdy hooks, wire, or chain

WILDLIFE REALITY CHECK

Squirrels, woodpeckers, etc. may interact with your gourd
It’s part of nature
Adds charm (and sometimes chaos 😂)

A LITTLE NOTE FROM ME

My name is Alexa Young

Thank you so much for supporting my small business and my slightly obsessive love for gourds 😄

Every single gourd you bring home has been grown, cleaned, and created by hand — not mass produced, not rushed, and definitely not cookie-cutter perfect.

Because let’s be honest… perfect is boring 😉

These gourds come straight from nature, and they carry a little bit of that wild, imperfect charm with them wherever they go.

Some will house birds.

Some will hang pretty and make you smile.

Some might get a little sun-kissed, a little weathered, and maybe even a repaint down the road…

…and that’s all part of their story.

They’re meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over.

So hang it up, watch the birds, and let it do its thing

Thank you for being here and for being part of my homestead-ish kind of life 🖤