Hummingbirds will fly right up to your window ... Hollowed out, dried and painted gourds make for artistic birdhouses, like this one made in Menomonie. $28, HouseofGourds.etsy.com.

Are you a pumpkin Picasso? A gourd Gaugin? If you love creating your carved or painted jack-o’-lantern every Halloween, a contest now underway, sponsored by the Pennsylvania agriculture ...