How do you dry large gourds?

Gourds dry best if they are left on the vine in the weather, as they need a lot of air to dry properly. Do not scrape a green gourd or cut holes in it to facilitate drying; this only ruins it or cures it rather than drying it.

If you pick the gourd while it is still green, it will not dry as easily. However, if you do pick the gourd early, do not place it in an area that doesn't receive good air flow. If you poke holes in the gourd, it will cure it rather than dry it, and it causes the inside to rot, especially if the gourd is scraped. A gourd is properly dried if it is very lightweight and the seeds rattle when the gourd is shaken.