At night, gardens come alive. That is why it’s essential for homeowners to install landscape lighting. The right exterior lighting scheme can continue that enchanting feeling of movement and depth. Whatever you need to add light or that touch of sparkle with fairy lights, there are many budget-friendly options for garden lighting!
Solar lights offer one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly lawn designing options, also an outdoor lighting option for your garden, with significantly lower initial costs than corded electric lighting and no complex wiring necessary to set them up. Solar cells absorb sunlight during the day to power their internal batteries; when nightfall comes around, they automatically light up until sunrise comes along or their batteries run dry.
Solar light is ideal for lining walkways, highlighting flowers and shrubs in your garden, accentuating trees in your yard, and acting as a deterrent against would-be thieves. Some models even feature motion detectors that activate when someone approaches, creating an added sense of security while deterring would-be thieves.
If you want to turn your garden into an inviting evening gathering space, installing string lights may help. They can be draped across patios, wrapped around tree trunks, or hung from gazebos for a magical ambiance. Dimmable string lights allow users to adjust brightness when full brightness is not required, saving energy costs.
Lanterns can create a welcoming ambiance in outdoor seating areas or dinner parties. Select lanterns with real wax candles, LED candles, or built-in outdoor lighting options for various illumination levels.
Bollard lights are low-voltage landscape lighting that offers an alternative to traditional pathway lighting. They’re great for public green spaces and commercial landscape projects, but they’re also a way to make your garden beautiful and to illuminate walkways and driveways in your backyard.
LED bollard lights come in various styles to complement different exterior decorating themes, from craftsman and Asian-inspired to modern and contemporary styles. Some feature directional illumination, while others light in a 360-degree radius around their fixture.
Non-LED bollard lights typically use metal halide, high-pressure sodium, or mercury vapor lamps, usually costing between $50 and $150 annually in electricity charges per lamp.
For budget-friendly bollard lighting solutions, look for fixtures with a high IP rating (Ingress Protection). A higher IP rating provides greater dust and water protection while making the lighting fixtures more resistant to harsh outdoor conditions.
Lanterns are a timeless addition to any outdoor lighting setup and come in various styles. Some lanterns use gas, while others rely on solar energy, giving homeowners plenty of options that fit their style and budget.
Lawn globes are an economical solution that can bring an ambient glow throughout the garden. Available with solar and battery power for easy installation, lawn globes add sophistication with lanterns or candles for an outdoor space look.
Arborvitae are popular plants that form dense evergreen screens and privacy hedges but are also great focal points and background plants. Their dense foliage protects them from snow and wind damage while keeping their vibrant colors and textures. In contrast to some evergreen hedging species like hemlock or yew hedges, arborvitae never lose their fresh texture or crisp appearance over time.
Even though arborvitae shrubs don’t often bloom, with proper illumination, a few strategically placed spotlights can encourage occasional displays. Look for grow lights with warm-colored outdoor lighting and high-lumen output that emulate the sun’s natural spectrum without overpowering your plant. To ensure you provide adequate brightness to your arborvitaes, carefully measure their circumference and height so you can determine how many fixtures will be necessary.
Be sure to use a timer device to manage the timing of your lighting system. This will save energy while preventing over- and under-illuminating of your landscaping. Ensure a licensed electrician is involved in hardwired systems to avoid electrical hazards.
Pathway lights are essential in providing visitors with safe navigation for your family in your garden after dark, but they also create a mesmerizing nighttime ambiance. They are commonly installed along walkways or pathways to highlight decorative fountains, trees, or architectural features of your house.
Pathway lights differ from other forms of illumination in that they project downward to avoid blinding passersby as they pass through your landscape. You can purchase pathway lights in various styles and shapes; decorative styles tend to make an eye-catching statement in your garden, while classic designs blend in seamlessly.
Making DIY garden lights is also possible by drilling holes into tin cans, stringing metal wire through them, and creating lanterns. These outdoor lights are great for lighting pathways or adding ambient glow in the garden at a fraction of the cost associated with professional-grade options.
We hired Landscape Experts to clean up our yard. They demo’d and hauled away the old tree-house, shed and dead trees, fixed the fence, rearranged the yard furniture, cut, trimmed, and weeded the lawn, plants and flowers and laid down new mulch throughout. Aaron and his crew are very easy to work with and go the extra mile to ensure the job is done right. Aaron provides creative ideas for landscape improvements and was also flexible to implement our ideas. Highly recommented.
Colin E. - Pleasanton, CAMy husband and I purchased a new home that virtually had a dirt pile as a backyard. Aaron helped me to envision the perfect backyard and team kept me in the loop throughout the entire project. Aaron and team were extremely professional and worked quickly. Landscape experts were very easy to work with and the project turned just as I wanted. Job well done and recommendation to friends and family!
Kelly H. - Dublin, CAThere name says it all ! They truly are Experts when it comes to anything regarding your yard . The owner Aaron came out for the initial bid and was very professional and knowledgeable and was the clear choice out of the 3 bids we got . Him and his team were wonderful to deal with from start to finish . Highly recommend Landscape Experts for any project you have ! Keep up the great work guys !
Harold T. | San Ramon, CA“We contacted Landscape Experts through the Dublin Armstrong Garden Center. Aaron was very prompt in contacting us about our need to have three trees staked. The job was quickly scheduled. HIs crew arrived on time and did a great job. Aaron is very responsive to inquiries and questions. We are now going to have his crew do some fence repair.”
Linda T. | San Ramon, CAAs soon as your sod is installed, it is vitally important that it receives ample moisture throughout its first week to establish roots and grow properly. Frequent, shallow watering during this phase helps it remain hydrated and nourished.
After the initial week, it is best to gradually decrease the frequency of daily watering sessions while increasing their duration, considering rainfall and avoiding standing water accumulation.
Conduct regular inspections around the perimeter and seams of your lawn to ensure they don’t dry out. If any areas appear dehydrated, increase the frequency or duration of watering cycles accordingly to promote root growth.
Here are some questions that our readers have asked us:
A: Garden lights can be economical to run, especially if they are LED or solar-powered. LED lights are energy-efficient, consuming minimal electricity, while solar lights use no electricity at all. Costs can vary based on the type and duration of use, but modern garden lights are generally designed to be cost-effective.
A: The best lighting for a garden includes a mix of LED and solar-powered lights. LEDs are energy-efficient, durable, and provide bright illumination. Solar lights are eco-friendly and cost nothing to run. Incorporating a variety of spotlights, pathway lights, and decorative string lights can create a balanced and aesthetically pleasing garden ambiance.
A: Solar-powered landscape lights are the easiest to install. They don’t require wiring or electrical connections, as they harness energy from the sun. Place them in desired locations where they receive ample sunlight. They’re ideal for pathways, garden beds, and accent lighting, making setup quick and hassle-free.
Creating a captivating garden doesn’t have to break the bank, thanks to the variety of budget-friendly lighting options available. With a mix of these lighting solutions, you can transform your garden into a mesmerizing nighttime retreat without straining your budget. So, embrace these affordable lighting options and enjoy the enchanting glow of your garden after dark.
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