How to Activate a Garden Gnome

Browse your garden to choose an ideal location for the garden gnome. Because the garden gnome will light up when it gets dark, you want it to stand out and be noticeable in your garden. Choose a location where the gnome stands out, but blends in well with the flowers and shrubs in the garden.

Use the hand shovel to prepare to area where the garden gnome will be placed and activated. Dig a small hole about 1/2 inch to 1 inch deep so the garden gnome can be placed in the ground. If heavy winds come, the garden gnome will not be seriously affected.

Turn the garden gnome upside down and locate the hole where the light bulb and wiring are. The bulb and wiring are often inside the gnome through a hole at the bottom. Plug the wire into an outlet to test the light bulb. If it does not work, change the light bulb.

Place the bottom of the garden gnome into the hole. Keep the wiring out of the soil hole when placing the gnome in the ground. Compact the remaining soil from the hole around the bottom of the garden gnome so it is secured.

Lay the wire down in the garden and hide it among shrubs, flowers and plants in your garden. Attach the waterproof extension cord to the garden gnome and plug it into the outlet timer. Then place the outlet timer to an outdoor outlet. You likely have one on the side of your house or in your garage.

Set the outlet timer, so the garden gnome turns on during the dusk hours and off before bed time.