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Garden Lighting

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-418 -- More Projects »
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Garden lighting systems come in a wide variety of types and prices and are available with decorative fixtures that add beauty to a garden during the day as well as at night.
Gardening expert Don Engebretson provides tips for lighting a garden.
  • Gardens must be seen for their soothing benefits. Lighting makes gardens appealing and accessible long after dusk, and allows gardens to be enjoyed after a hard day of work when the sun has set. A lit garden is also open to visitors when entertaining in the evening.

  • A large variety of lighting hardware and systems are available in a wide range of prices.

  • Uplighting, downlighting and side lighting are the three basic forms of garden lighting. Use a combination of all three for the most pleasing result.

  • Lighting systems come in low-voltage and standard-voltage configurations. Use standard voltage for large areas and security and low voltage to accent individual plants.

  • Standard voltage systems must be mounted on a permanent box and be installed by licensed electricians. Low-voltage lights can be mounted on spikes and moved as chosen.

  • Use below-grade fixtures for trees in the middle of a lawn so that the light source is hidden.

  • Above-grade fixtures are often decorative and work well amidst plants and as accents to pathways.

  • Remember to plan a lighting system to accent features in the fall and winter, when the sun sets early.

  • Shine the most light on main doorways to draw visitors to an entrance.

  • Use lighting along paths and walkways for safety.

  • Keep it subtle. Too much lighting can be garish and make the garden look like a crime scene.

  • Use uplighting on large trees from three directions. Lighting with one light will make the tree appear one-dimensional. One light must shine directly on the trunk to connect the tree canopy to the ground.

  • Popular halogen light fixtures, such as MR16 and MR11 halogen lights, have adjustable beams that vary the spread of light as well as the intensity.

  • Experiment with a wide variety of wattage until arriving at light levels that are the most pleasing.

  • Use timers to turn on lighting schemes automatically. This is also a great security device while the house is empty.

  • Durability matters. The price ranges of components vary, and the quality of components varies accordingly.

  • Hiring an outdoor lighting designer is an option to consider. A professional can eliminate much of the experimentation and guesswork.

  • A really quick and easy way to add light to the garden, without wiring, is a kit that uses solar cells to collect power during the day and lights up at night. Kits are available at most discount stores.
Guests
Don Engebretson
University of Minnesota Master Gardener / Garden Writer and Expert
E-mail: don@renegadegardener.com
Website: www.renegadegardener.com
Also in this Episode
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-418
•Fish and Chicken Recipes
•Making Air Fresheners
•Garden Lighting
•Tip of the Day
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