Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. A Td booster should be given every 10 years. Tdap may be given as one of these boosters if you have never gotten Tdap before. Tdap may also be given after a severe cut or burn to prevent tetanus infection.
The drying process may take up to one month. Keep the gourds in a cool, well-ventilated area and check them every few days. Remove any moisture and mold. If a soft spot forms, discard the gourd. When you hear the seeds rattle inside, it means the gourds are completely dry.
Plant in black plastic to warm the soil, and take care to cover the young plants on cooler nights. Space the young gourd plants anywhere from 2 to 7 feet apart, depending on trellis use. Gourds may also grow on fences, but only in full sun and close to a watering source. Mulch with straw if the plants are not trellised. Gourd plants need 14 to 16 hours of light per day. If your gourd plants are leggy and weak-stemmed once in the ground, the plantâs early-morning water pressure pre-photosynthesis may cause the stem to split open.