Birdhouse or “Bottle” Gourd Seeds. Lagenaria are hard shelled useful gourds. They grow much like squash and cucumbers. Directly sowing seeds into warm, well drained soil is best where the growing season is at least 100 days long. Seeds do not germinate well in cool soil. Late sowing usually does better than early sowing. If you need to get a head start, plant seed indoors into peat pots. Leave pots in a warm, brightly illuminated place. As gourds resent transplanting, the use of a peat pot that may be directly planted into thegarden, without disturbing roots, is recommended. You may want to try growing on a low trellis. Irrigation is essential for best growth.