Ever wonder about the origins of the cornucopia that graces some of our tables during the Thanksgiving season? Although we who celebrate the season may assume that its origins are more current, this horn of plenty, as it is also called, has its roots in Greek mythology and elsewhere.

One take is that as a youngster Zeus inadvertently separated a goat from its horn. Or maybe the goat gave it willingly. Other gods and goddesses such as Demeter, who just happens to be the goddess of the harvest, are often depicted with the overflowing baskets. As with most myths, one telling can be quite different from another.

Another legend has it that its beginnings revolve around the celebration of a bountiful harvest. Whatever its origin, the cornucopia does, indeed, signify bounty, with items added to and flowing from the horn as a symbol of gratitude for that abundance.

I have seen both basic woven baskets and already-filled decorative baskets for sale online and elsewhere. Empty baskets can be filled to flowing in a variety of ways, with live or dried flowers, a combination of larger and smaller seashells, fresh fruits and vegetables or dried gourds, nuts and berries. In fact, arrangements are probably limited only by one’s imagination.

If you are in the mood to create your own display, you can easily come across a variety of ideas online. I personally find the use of dried ornamental gourds to be quite appealing, with their various textures, shapes, sizes and colors. You can usually find a number of ready offerings in local stores in autumn of the year.

If you have a hankering to start from scratch, ornamental seed packets are often available in garden centers and online. Here in Southwest Florida you can sow seeds directly into the garden September-March, or plant seeds in starter containers in winter and then transplant seedlings into the garden in spring. Because gourds like to climb, add a trellis to allow the plants to grow upright rather than spread on the ground with the greater possibility of fruit rot. The sun-loving plants prefer moist soil but not “wet feet.”

Ornamental gourds encompass a range of different genus and species, all falling under the Cucurbitaceae family umbrella. Edible gourds are also included within the family. However, unlike edible squashes, for example, which are harvested prior to maturity and used as a food source, you will wait for the gourds to ripen and dry on the vine before harvesting.

During harvesting, avoid twisting the fruit from the stem; rather, use clippers and include part of the stem in your cuttings. After harvest, gently wash your bounty and then lay out to dry and cure, turning the specimens periodically.

Once cured, you can decorate your cornucopia to overflowing. You may even discover other uses for the ornamental gourds.

Until next time … happy gardening!

Janetta Fox is a Lee County Master Gardener Volunteer and member of the Garden Club of Cape Coral. Please visit us at GardenClubofCapeCoral.com.