Old Print Ad: Magic Dutch Rock Garden (1952)

June 16, 2010 in Misc., Urban Studies | Permalink

Where do we keep the tiny lawn mower, Dad?

If your parents gave you a dollar in 1952 to buy this incredibly crappy toy garden, they were really sick of you and tried just about anything to keep you out of their hair for a few minutes. Even more boring than an ant farm, this faux topiary was supposed to sprout real grass and flowers in “over 100 square inches of garden.” It promised that the garden would grow is just four short days and last for months. It sounds like some sort of forerunner to the grandeur of the Chia Pet.

The garden came with Dutch boy and girl figurines, “simulated” rocks, a ceramic dog and an American flag, so that you could embarrass the whole country. (“I Wasted $1” tee shirt sold separately.) An excerpt from the copy:

“Boys & girls, here’s exciting news. News about something entirely different! Now, you can grow a real garden of your very own–right in your own home. Yes, here’s an amazing magic garden you set up and plant yourself in a few minutes. Grow real grass and flowers in a few days! You’ll thrill to the magic of Mother Nature as you watch the grass sprout and the flowers take root and grow right before your eyes. In no time at all you’ll have a colorful, healthy garden–and what a kick you’ll get playing gardener, cutting the grass, watering the plants, and tending the lovely sweet-smelling flowers. You can even clip a beautiful bunch of flowers for mom, or friend. All your friends will wonder how you were able to make things grow. They’ll all want you to show them how!”

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