🌱 Heirloom Tinda Gourd Seeds (Apple Gourd / Indian Round Gourd)
Premium Heirloom Variety • Open-Pollinated • Non-GMO
Bring a taste of traditional Indian kitchens to your garden with Heirloom Tinda Gourd, also known as Apple Gourd or Indian Round Gourd. This fast-growing, heat-loving vine produces smooth, light-green, apple-shaped fruits prized for their tender texture, mild flavor, and excellent curry absorption.
Tinda is a staple in North Indian and Punjabi cuisine and is especially valued for its quick maturity, high yield, and easy digestibility. When harvested young, the fruits are soft, seedless, and ideal for sabzis, stir-fries, and lentil dishes.
Origination & Heirloom History
Tinda gourd (Praecitrullus fistulosus) originates from the Indian subcontinent, where it has been cultivated for generations as a summer vegetable in home gardens and small farms. This heirloom variety has been naturally selected over decades for productivity, flavor, and heat tolerance, making it well-adapted to warm climates and long summers.
Unlike modern hybrids, heirloom tinda remains true-to-type, allowing gardeners to save seeds confidently year after year.
Fruit & Plant Characteristics
- Fruit Shape: Round to slightly oval (apple-shaped)
- Color: Light green with smooth skin
- Ideal Harvest Size: 2.5–3.5 inches diameter
- Plant Type: Trailing vine
Flavor: Mild, tender, slightly sweet
- Days to Harvest: ~45–55 days from sowing
- Yield: Heavy and continuous with regular picking
Growing Tips (Best Practices)
🌱 Sowing
- Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost or direct sow after soil warms
- Soak seeds in warm water 8–12 hours before planting for faster germination
- Sow ½–1 inch deep
🌡️ Climate
- Thrives in hot, sunny weather
- Optimal temperature: 75–95°F
- Not frost tolerant
🌿 Soil
- Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter
- Ideal pH: 6.0–7.5
- Raised beds or mounds work exceptionally well
🚿 Watering
- Moderate, consistent watering
- Avoid waterlogging; uneven watering can affect fruit quality
🌼 Fertilization
- Use balanced organic fertilizer or compost
- Side-dress every 2–3 weeks during flowering and fruiting
🌿 Spacing
- Space plants 24–36 inches apart
- Provide room for vines to spread or trail
✂️ Harvesting
- Harvest fruits young and tender
- Frequent picking encourages more fruit production
Why Grow Heirloom Tinda?
✔ Authentic Indian heirloom variety
✔ Excellent heat tolerance
✔ Fast-growing and high yielding
✔ Ideal for raised beds and home gardens
✔ Open-pollinated & seed-savable
✔ Mild, versatile culinary vegetable