Garden Gnome Nursery Landscaping Guide
Garden Gnome Guarding Your Garden
By Joel F Morningstar
Garden gnome is guarding your good work in the garden. If you
can deceive one or two pets or strays, that you are in the garden,
then they will not enter the garden, dig up the soil and spoil
all your hard work. Especially when you spend the morning digging
up the soil, then adding the seed or seedlings and the plants
are trampled or destroyed by animal paws.
I have even placed a couple of animal statues in the yard and
in the garden to further frighten away animals from my garden.
I know some of my neighbourhood pets and strays are rather large
and I find it difficult to stop them entering the garden if I
am not present in the garden.
It looks like the garden gnomes have done the trick.
Animal Garden Statues To Guard Your Garden
Nothing divides people like the subject of little men with fishing
rods in the garden. The garden gnome is often the cause of heated
debate. You either love them or hate them. There is a lot of prejudice
when it comes to these garden accessories.
Some people are closet collectors, not daring to admit to work
colleagues of their secret shame and hiding one or two specimens
behind the potting shed. Others proudly display their little family
for all to see and admire.
Gnomes Toiled In The Garden At Night
It’s all the fault of a German called Phillip Griebel, who made
the first ones in the mid-1800s. He was inspired by the local
legend of gnomes who toiled in the garden at night, whilst the
owners slept. Their popularity grew and they sprouted in numerous
gardens across Europe.
A man named Sir Charles Isham visited Germany and brought the
first sample back to the UK. Today, they are still made in the
traditional way, from terracotta clay but many are now produced
from plastic resin.
Popular In Suburban Homes
They are especially prevalent in English suburban homes, although
they are forbidden from being displayed at the Chelsea Flower
Show, the most prestigious flower show in the country. This is
viewed as blatant snobbery by the garden gnome lobby!
The object of this controversy is ignorant of the furore he causes.
He is too busy, sitting and fishing in the pond or weeding with
his trowel. He is seen in a number of innocent pastimes but some
modern designs have put him in indiscreet poses. These are not
for family viewing and mooning gnomes are an affront to the more
conventional collector.
Garden Gnomes Have Been Kidnapped
A lot of fun is had with the little fellows and many a practical
joke has been played on owners. The garden gnome is under constant
threat of being kidnapped! Sometimes, the kidnapper sends a photograph
to the distraught owner and demands a ransom.
Some are sent on cruises or returned to the wild. There is even
an Italian organization called Garden Gnome Liberation Front.
A website has been set up that has a database for gnomes that
have been taken.
Most Owners Have A Good Sense Of Humour
Owners can place information about their lost loved ones and
plea for their return. Abductors can post their pictures and detail
their ransom demands. Fortunately, most owners have a good sense
of humor!
Whether they are looked on as a family friend or a gross slice
of kitsch, they are part of the culture. Like greenfly or ants,
they will not go away. How much would an owner pay to get their
garden gnome back? Would they be prepared to trade in a relative
for its return?
Guarding The Garden
I have taken a review of my options and placed a couple of garden
gnomes in my backyard, guarding my garden. There are also a couple
of animal statues, keeping the gnomes company. I noticed there
are less intrusions into the garden by pets and strays from around
the neighbourhood ever since I placed a couple of garden gnomes
among the growing plants in the garden.
My garden gnomes are not just standing around, taking up space.
One looks as if he is working in the garden, and is a little life
like. The other looks as if he is about to approach and talk to
you. I like the company they keep when I am in the garden. There
are times when they are in the way and I have to move them around,
and then place them back once the work is complete.
Whenever I show people around the garden, a point of conversation
is always about each garden gnome.
About the Author:
Joel F Morningstar has written a number of articles on backyard ideas, home improvement, gardening
and landscaping including
Backyard Landscaping,
Miniature Fruit Trees,
Pepper Plant,
Coffee Plant,
Front Yard Landscape,
Lawn Swing,
Fast Growing Trees,
Stone Walkway,
Big Backyard,
Deck Ideas,
Swing Set Backyard,
Patio Garden,
Lawn And Garden,
Design Landscaping,
Lawn Care.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.
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