How to Care for Garden Gnomes

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (0 Ratings)

Garden gnomes are available in a wide range of materials. Plastic garden gnomes are low maintenance, but collectible gnomes require more care and attention. Antique gnomes are not meant for the garden at all. Care for your garden gnome properly and he will bring good luck and goodwill to your home and garden for years.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Consider the care you can provide before adopting a garden gnome. Most garden gnomes are sturdy creatures, so there is most likely a gnome for your home.

Step2

Purchase a Kimmel gnome for a garden gnome made of frost resistant stoneware pottery. Leave your Kimmel gnomes, made to withstand extreme weather conditions, in the garden year-round. Repair broken Kimmel gnomes with "Titebond ll" glue, manufactured by Franklin International.

Step3

Adopt a garden gnome made of clay and you will need to provide shelter during the winter months. Place clay gnomes in a frost-free environment once freezing weather approaches. Wash your clay gnome with a mild soap and water solution to remove dirt and mildew.

Step4

Seal stone and concrete gnomes every other year to protect them against moisture. Apply masonry or concrete sealant, available at your local home improvement store, in the fall to protect the gnome against the winter weather. Leave your sealed garden gnome outside year-round.

Step5

Place painted gnomes away from standing snow and water. Positioning your gnome on a dry covered surface will keep the paint from fading.

Step6

Wax bronze garden gnomes yearly to keep them looking their best. Purchase wax made for bronze statuary. Leave bronze statuary in the garden year-round but expect your gnome to age.

Step7

Care for resin garden gnomes is easy; leave them be. Resin is a durable synthetic polymer that is weather resistant. Purchase a garden gnome made of resin and a natural material for an attractive, affordable garden statute. Evaluate your garden gnome yearly to assess if such casual care is appropriate; the quality of each resin gnome differs.