Grow-Goyle Fertilizes As It Disappears

Here’s something for those who like to explore several meanings of the word “grotesque”: a gargoyle for the garden, made from cow manure.

It’s called the Grow-Goyle, and it’s from two companies that know about this sort of thing. Design Toscano, the Chicago-area maker of gargoyles (most in cast plaster, though) is working in conjunction with Poopets, the New Jersey maker of manure garden statues.

“A good chunk of our products are made for outdoor use,” explains Michael Stopka, president of Design Toscano. This one is biodegradable and works as a fertilizer.

A pensive-looking creature, Grow-Goyle is patterned after the famous gargoyle that is perched on 81 Irving Place in New York.

Grow-Goyle is made from 100 percent cow manure, which is slowly released into the soil, and has eyes made of dried beans. There is no nasty odor.

It measures a petit 7 inches tall by 5 inches wide by 6 inches deep, and can fit into a large indoor potted plant, as well.

The gargoyle is $17.95 at Design Toscano, 17 E. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, IL, or can be ordered through the catalog, 800-525-0733 (Item No. TG-200).

Gracious but costly living

If you’re a Martha Stewart wannabe, you should know it could cost you big bucks to try to live the lifestyle espoused by the queen of home decorating and entertaining. Smart Money magazine tallied the cost of a variety of items likely to be found in Stewart’s home - including a glue gun, garden boots, stock pot, candy thermometer, wheelbarrow, calling cards, house paint and ash-blond hair dye. In Stewart’s home town of Westport, Conn., the tab came to $891.58.