The Garden Toy

Most of what is grown in the Garden at Blackberry Farm is intended for the kitchens. From vegetables that are the star of the plate to herbs that add the perfect flavoring to a dish, our team works hard to provide the best ingredients right from our land.

But every now and then, we grow a plant that’s purely ornamental, and in the case of one of our favorite Fall gourds, it’s also fun! Each year, the Garden team grows something just for kids and kids at heart – the Tennessee Spinning Gourd!

Thought to have existed from as early as 1809, the Tennessee Spinning Gourd is a striped, miniature green gourd that ranges between 2 to 3 inches tall. These small gourds have been grown for the sole purpose of entertaining children for centuries. While they are technically edible, you wouldn’t want to eat them. Instead, they have a much more entertaining use.

Generations ago, the size, shape and lack of edibility caught the attention of children as they picked the gourds off their vines. They discovered that, once picked, the gourds could be spun like a top! You launch them onto a flat surface, and they spin on the skinny end. In more recent history, a Hickman County, Tennessee, local remembered these little spinning gourds, and sparked the hunt to replant it in the area. Now, the tradition continues, sprouting and spreading joy for generations to come.

The Garden team are masters of the spin technique, and if you stop by the Garden Shed, they’re happy to show you the best form to get the maximum spin. They can also tell you how about the process of its vining sprawl, how to harvest them and the best drying process to ensure your gourd remains a keepsake you can enjoy.