How to Build a Purple Martin Gourd Rack
- 1). Drill a 2-inch hole in the front of each gourd with the hole saw bit for the entrance.
- 2). Drill a one-quarter inch drainage hole in the bottom of each gourd and a one-quarter inch hole in the top of each gourd to insert cord for hanging.
- 3). Sand the large entrance hole in each gourd so it is smooth.
- 4). Thoroughly soak each gourd in a bleach solution and let dry in the sun.
- 5). Painting each gourd with white paint preserves it and keeps it cool in the summer heat. Paint the wooden post and dowels as well.
- 6). Cut an 8-inch length of cord for each gourd. Tie a large knot in one end and insert the other end through the front entrance hole and up through the hole in the gourd’s top.
- 7). Drill a three-quarters inch hole for each dowel in the 15-foot pole, starting 5 inches from the top. Leave a foot between each hole and drill each hole perpendicular to the one above it.
- 8). Dig a 2-foot deep hole with the post-hole digger and insert the 3 ½-inch PVC pipe into it, filling around it with dirt and tamping it down firmly.
- 9). Insert the 15-foot pole into the PVC pipe, and insert the dowels into the three-quarters inch holes.
- 10
Tie the gourds to the dowels, two on each end spaced 12 inches apart.
