Gourds are related to Squash, pumpkin, and the cucumber family. They grow on vines . Gourds like a warm climate, with a growing season of 100 to 180 days. Select a sunny well drained site. Prepare the soil by adding compost,manure, peat moss, or organic matter. I have found that someways don`t always work for everyone.I think it all depends on where you live and your soil. Some people start their seeds inside in wet paper towels, then put them in soil on a window. That didn`t work for me, so I soak mine in warm water over nite , then plant then directly in the prepared site. Plant then two feet apart, that way they have room to spread. And believe me they will spread.... It will take 8 to 10 days to germinate. When the vines are about 10 feet snip off the end of the vine to encourage them to split, Then they will start blooming male and female blooms. As you read up at different sites, you will find that a lot of growers like to pollinate their blooms. I have not found a need as I get LOTSS of gourds. Gourds are picked when the vines dry up. There are also different way to cure your gourds. I have found that after the vines have dried, I set all the gourd on a pallet in the sun. As they dry they get very light in weight. As this happens, I occasionally shake them to loosen up the seed inside.