It's September. That means Jodi and Don Brauen are gearing up for their annual gourd open house.

This year's event will feature between 200 to 300 ornamental gourds of fall and winter designs - they have 1,000 total gourds this year.

Open house hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 at their home, 7140 Tom Fett Road.

Inspired by a friend who grew gourds, the Brauens began with a small patch eight years ago. Since then that patch has grown to cover three acres, producing up to 8,000 gourds a year. Among the varieties customers traditionally see include kettles, martins, bushels, penguins, apples and canteens.

Don, who calls the gourd project a "true craft," says that customers will see lots of new designs in this year's open house.

Click here to see a selection of photos that The Icon featured in 2010 on the Brauen's gourds.