Hard-shelled gourds have been an important crop for humans for thousands of years yet nowadays they have become a novelty making the seeds rather hard to find. I have come across birdhouse gourds on seed racks occasionally but for the most part gourd seeds are best sourced online.
There are a number of online seed suppliers that carry gourd seeds. Below is the companies that I have bought seeds from with good experiences. This list starts with my favourite supplier, The Seed Savers Exchange (they are a not-for-profit organization that preserves seed diversity), and also includes my favourite Canadian supplier (since I am Canadian), and a company that ships internationally to cover all my non-North American visitors.
I plan to expand this list to include more suppliers. I want provide sources for more gourd varieties and have more suppliers that ship around the world. If you have any gourd seed supplier recommendations or need help finding a certain variety or a suppler for your location mention it in the comments. Your feedback will help me make this article better.
Seed Savers Exchange
Ships to US, Canada, and Puerto Rico
Seed Savers Exchange carries 4 varieties of hard-shelled gourds.
- apple gourd
- birdhouse gourd
- dinosaur gourd
- spinning gourd
Seeds Savers Exchange is a great source for gourd seeds (and tons of other seeds too). What makes the Seed Savers Exchange so special is that they are a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to preserve seed diversity.
Seed Savers Exchange stewards Americaʼs culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. We educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.
Seed Savers Exchange Mission Statement
The website is easy to navigate and informative, orders as processed fast and efficiently, and seeds are of high-quality with fair prices. This is a company that you can feel good supporting and be happy with what you get.
Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds
Ships to Canada
Hawthorn Farm Organic Seeds carries 4 varieties of hard-shelled gourds.
- zucca gourd
- canteen gourd
- apple gourd
- birdhouse gourd
Hawthorn Farm is an independent organic seed company. They grow much of their seeds on their own farm but also source seeds from other organic growers. They are a small company that “sees themselves as not only stewards of the land but also guardians of humanity’s genetic heritage”.
The seeds from Hawthorn Farm are of good quality and were are shipped fast. The seeds are packaged in an environmentally friendly kraft envelope that include detailed instructions for growing and drying the gourds.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Ships internationally
Baker Creek Seeds carries 5 varieties of hard-shelled gourds.
- birdhouse gourd
- snake gourd
- egg gourd
- spinning gourd
- zucca gourd