Joe Burton's dad loves and collects lawn ornaments. Joe thinks they're just tacky, but then his father brings home a pair of ceramic lawn gnomes. Soon after, Joe's neighbor Mr. McCall, who's in a rivalry with Mr. Burton over who has the better garden, comes over to report that one of his prize melons was destroyed overnight, and soon after, Joe discovers evidence that the gnomes may be alive, and responsible for the mischief.