We’ve all seen garden gnomes in other people’s yards -- the creatures of woodland legend that represent the spirit of the earth. Maybe it’s time you put one in your own garden.
Gnome is a derivation of the Greek word for “earth dweller.” Garden gnomes were first used in German gardens in the mid-1800s. Made out of terra cotta, they were painted and clothed like miners of the day, with outfits that included the cute little pointed hats.
From Germany, garden gnomes spread to France and England. In parts of Europe, a garden gnome was a status symbol. Today, often mass-produced and plastic, they are found all over the world.

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