Lagenaria siceraria 'Marenka'

The 'Marenka' Squash is not an edible squash but a decorative gourd. This variety produces dark green fruits, almost black, measuring 12 to 15cm (5 to 6in) at the base of the body and with a straight or twisted neck measuring 30 to 50cm (12 to 20in) in length. The skin of this squash is covered in ridges, craters, and bumps. 'Marenka' is a climbing variety that needs to be trained and will produce 4 to 6 fruits per plant. Sow your seeds from April to June to harvest from September to November.

The Gourd is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a distant relative of the squashes, pumpkins, and gourds that we are familiar with. Often called a bottle gourd or calabash, it is cultivated both as a vegetable plant and because once dried, its fruit becomes a tool with a wide range of uses. Gourds can be found in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is an annual climbing or creeping plant with tendrils. Its leaves are widely pubescent and have a characteristic smell. In spring, after a flowering of large white flowers, it produces round fruits, or with a neck resembling a bottle or amphora. Some varieties can be consumed when very young, like zucchinis. However, some are toxic and therefore not edible. On the other hand, when harvested much later, all gourds can become kitchen utensils, musical instruments like the Kora - an African harp - or the Berimbao accompanying Capoeira fighters in Brazil, candle holders, containers for mate or pelvic cases, etc. This is only possible when the fruit has completely dried and the flesh has disappeared. This plant, already mentioned by Pliny the Elder as a container for liquids, was also recommended in the 'Capitulare de Villis' as a plant to cultivate for the same reasons. This Cucurbitaceae is also used to dress trellises and pergolas with great taste.

Harvesting: gourds are fruits that need a lot of sunlight to reach their full potential, like any plant native to tropical regions. For consumption as a zucchini, the fruit will be harvested when immature with a slightly tender skin. The taste of gourds is not very pronounced, but it is an experience worth trying if they are edible. To make utensils, you will need to wait until the stem has completely dried. Harvesting should be done as late as possible.

Storage: if they are harvested for consumption, the skin should still be tender and the fruits will only keep for a few days in the refrigerator's vegetable compartment. Once completely dry, gourds can be stored indefinitely. They can be carved, painted, or pierced, etc. It's up to you to use your imagination to make them into the object that suits you. When dry, they become very fragile, so handle them with care.

Gardener's tip: gourd fruits should stay on the plant for as long as possible, but bad weather can also cause them to rot. In that case, you can dry them indoors by hanging them up. They are generally vigorous plants with very decorative fruits and flowers. Provide them with a trellis so they can climb, sprawl, and let their fruits hang like lanterns. Gourds do not like humidity, so make sure to give them only the necessary amount of water in summer.