Garden Gnomes - Garden Plants and Gardening Forum

smgardener · 12-12-2007, 09:35 PM

I've been thinking about gardening gnomes. Why do I love/hate them? What purpose do they serve?

courtesy of hans s on flickr

To bring joy to your garden?

courtesy of Mrs. W on flickr

courtesy of Cindy Funk on flickr

This guy is too busy with his lollypop to do much good in the garden.

courtesy of blmurch on flickr

Now, if gnomes serve some sort of scare-crow like function for the lower pests of your garden, would a gnome really do any good to scare away a small mammal? Maybe not a gnome. How about a Garden-cthulu?

courtesy of jaynefury on flickr

Sometimes, we see a gnome, and maybe we don't have such nice thoughts. Like, where's the cat when you need him? Oh, here he is...

courtesy of riesenweib on flickr

Gnomes should be humble, reliable garden guards.

courtesy of southgeist on flickr

Apparently, gardening gnomes were once marshalled as part of a strange EU marketing campaign for something called "Parlino," a Skype alternative from Tele2.

courtesy of tuppus on flickr

Not really a garden gnome, but nice to know the gnomes are watching over the banking system as well.

courtesy of stephentrepreneur on flickr

What it looks like when the garden gnomes have a party.

courtesy of deeleea on flickr

Wikipedia's Entry on Garden Gnomes notes:

Quote:

The first garden gnomes were made in Gräfenroda, a town known for its ceramics in Thuringia, Germany in the mid-1800s. August Heissner and Phillip Griebel[6] both made terracotta animals as decorations, and produced gnomes based on local myths as a way for people to enjoy the stories of the gnomes' willingness to help in the garden at night. The garden gnome quickly spread across Germany and into France and England, and wherever gardening was a serious hobby. Gnome manufacture spread across Germany with numerous other large and small manufacturers coming into and out of the business, each one having its own particular style of design.

From a catalogue of garden ornaments. 1910; courtesy of wikicommons

lucy o · 12-14-2007, 10:41 PM

These are truly spooky. I've never actually seen anyone put a garden gnome in their garden, but apparently they're out there! I think my fave has got to be the gnome party

gbronner · 12-18-2007, 01:10 PM

I have had some experiences with garden gnomes in the past and while not a huge advocate I do believe they have there place in the garden.When ever the grand kids visit the woodland garden they love to explore and it is great when one of the gnomes hidden in a bed someplace is discovered with delight by one of them. Once while researching gnomes I came across this site. I am not sure if these people are serious or just have too much time on their hands.Not one to judge I will share this link with you and let you make up your own minds.
Stop Oppressive Gardening!

cia007 · 12-19-2007, 09:09 PM

A little late now for Christmas...but here are the GW Bush Gnomes...
BushGnome 3.0 - George W. Bush Garden Gnomes

ConsiderThis · 12-26-2007, 11:06 PM

Oh, that was SO fun!

Thank you.

cia007 · 01-12-2008, 07:10 AM

This site has an abundance of discounted gnomes and gnome accessories...they even have little gnome doors! So cute!
Garden Gnomes - Krupps.com, Inc.

SugaredViolet · 01-15-2008, 01:59 PM

I think this guy: MySpace.com wins the best garden gnome ever award. I'm almost tempted to get one on ebay.

smgardener · 01-15-2008, 09:00 PM

Wow, roaminggnome is awesome - thanks for the link.

SugaredViolet · 01-16-2008, 01:23 PM

lol no problem

he makes me giggle.

"I'm calling for back-up! No! Don't back up!"

fygar · 01-17-2008, 06:57 AM

This has inspired my wife and I to drop a couple of these guys in our Gardens. :-)

12-18-2007, 01:10 PM	#3
gbronner Green Gardener Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Crest Hill, Illinois Posts: 19 Blog Entries: 5	I have had some experiences with garden gnomes in the past and while not a huge advocate I do believe they have there place in the garden.When ever the grand kids visit the woodland garden they love to explore and it is great when one of the gnomes hidden in a bed someplace is discovered with delight by one of them. Once while researching gnomes I came across this site. I am not sure if these people are serious or just have too much time on their hands.Not one to judge I will share this link with you and let you make up your own minds. Stop Oppressive Gardening! __________________ Please stop by and visit my home page for some of the greatest gardening links resources and articles! http://www.glenns-garden.com

12-26-2007, 11:06 PM	#5
ConsiderThis Green Thumb Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 56	Oh, that was SO fun! Thank you. __________________ http://www.health-boundaries-bite.com Your fingernails reflect your health -- Learn some warning signs -- Karen Kline

01-17-2008, 06:57 AM	#10
fygar Green Gardener Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Willmar, Mn Posts: 14	This has inspired my wife and I to drop a couple of these guys in our Gardens. :-) __________________ My Blog \| My Business

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12-14-2007, 10:41 PM	#2
lucy o Green Gardener Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10	These are truly spooky. I've never actually seen anyone put a garden gnome in their garden, but apparently they're out there! I think my fave has got to be the gnome party

12-19-2007, 09:09 PM	#4
cia007 Green Thumb Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 48	A little late now for Christmas...but here are the GW Bush Gnomes... BushGnome 3.0 - George W. Bush Garden Gnomes

01-12-2008, 07:10 AM	#6
cia007 Green Thumb Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 48	This site has an abundance of discounted gnomes and gnome accessories...they even have little gnome doors! So cute! Garden Gnomes - Krupps.com, Inc.

01-15-2008, 01:59 PM	#7
SugaredViolet Green Gardener Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 17	I think this guy: MySpace.com wins the best garden gnome ever award. I'm almost tempted to get one on ebay.

01-15-2008, 09:00 PM	#8
smgardener Grounds Keeper Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Blog Entries: 9 Images: 10	Wow, roaminggnome is awesome - thanks for the link.

01-16-2008, 01:23 PM	#9
SugaredViolet Green Gardener Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 17	lol no problem he makes me giggle. "I'm calling for back-up! No! Don't back up!"