Sunday, September 27, 2009

Lighting for Your Garden

Lighting for Your Garden: Garden lighting greatly increases the enjoyment of the garden. In winter you can view the plants or decorative features in the frost or snow. On a summer night you can eat outdoors or just sit and admire the surroundings. Lights can show off plants, a pond or statue or simply create a romantic ambience. Most important are those lights which allow safe passage through the garden or provide working light for barbecue chefs, and security lights to illuminate unwelcome visitors.

In a small garden it is usually most effective to pick out only two, or three, features to spotlight. Whether you choose a tree, shrub or special architectural feature, highlighting shape rather than color usually provides the most effective result_ This lighting needs to he professionally installed as there are strict rules governing outdoor cables, which need to be buried, plus the waterproof connectors and fittings that are needed.

Angle the lights to shine away from the viewing position and avoid allowing the source itself to show. The fitting can be concealed behind a low shrub, wall or other fixture or use stones or logs. Before deciding on the final position for a light source move tine fitting around, trying different heights for the best effect.

For a softer light use low- wattage lights which run off a transformer that brings down the power to a safe level. A lighting set of this type usually includes the transformer and cable (which can be run above the ground), connectors that clip into the cable at any point you choose, and the light fittings, which push into the ground on spikes. This makes it comparatively easy to move the lights about, allowing you to highlight different areas when plants look their best.

Solar-powered lights that draw off energy from the stun in tine daytime to give off a soft, diffused light at night conserve energy, cost nothing to run and need no wiring. Gas lighting also provides an attractive, gentle glow.

Walking around with safety Eating and cooking areas need good lighting for safety reasons as well as decorative effect. If the patio is close to the house, undrawn curtains may provide enough light. Alternatively fix lights to the exterior house walls. These are easy to fit as they can be connected to the internal mains power supply illuminating house names and numbers is an aid to newcomers to your home, and lighting beside the front door allows identification of callers before you open the door.

Paths and routes around the garden also need to be well-lit. Arrange fittings to point out any hazards such as steps or water features.

An aid to security Lights that sense body heat, switching on when they are approached, are an excellent security measure but can double up as safety lighting. The alternative is to use timed lighting -which comes on and goes off at a prearranged tune every evening.

If you use oil-filled lamps or candles position them where they cannot be knocked over. Special garden candles and flares add atmosphere, and insect-repellent candles keep the bugs away. Candles need to be placed in open-topped containers, such as jam jars, to keep any breeze from fanning the flame and blowing them out. Safety is important: remember to keep a bucket of water close at hand. In dry weather plants can soon catch fire.

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