Light Up the Night! Quick Facts about Outdoor Lighting
When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may drive us inside from our porches, patios or decks. Don't despair ? outdoor lighting can lengthen the day and dramatically extend the potential of our outdoor living spaces. The first step, as with any project, is to plan. How do you want to use this space after dark, and what lighting will you need? Lighting can be summarized in four categories: - Security lighting is needed in highly vulnerable areas of your property. Because it is bright and often motion activated, keep it away from the living areas so that it's not distracting. Alternatively, have your security lighting on a manual on/off switch so that you can override automatic illumination.
- Task lighting is for performing specific activities such as grilling or walking safely up and down steps and along paths. You should place task lighting between your eyes and the object that needs to be lighted and should take care that it does not glare. An overly bright light will blind rather than guide.
- Accent lighting adds drama or can highlight an unusual feature. Uplighting, for example can illuminate an interesting piece of statuary. Silhouetting, achieved by placing a light between an object and a fence or wall, dramatically displays an unusual tree or bush.
- General or ambient lighting provides overall illumination so that people feel comfortable and look good. The most magical of lighting imitates what is found in nature ? moonlight or starlight. Moonlighting is produced by hanging lights in mature trees, pointing downward to produce a dappled effect, as if the area were lit by a full moon. The look of starlight can be achieved through the use of flickering candles, sprinkled here and there throughout the space, or by suspending tiny lights in the branches of a tree to create a sparkling night time canopy. Of course, there are many other attractive types of light ? some just plain fun!
No matter what type of lighting you choose, it will be powered by one of these sources. - Fire is the oldest source of light and considered by some to be the most romantic. Flames, produced by candles or oil-burning lamps, are warm and flattering to faces, and have a hypnotic effect that induces calm and relaxation. Firelight on reflected surfaces such as ponds, mirrors and even gazing balls is a particularly effective way to create atmospheric lighting and enhance the impression of light.
Try snaking a row of candles along a garden path or suspending them in glass jars from branches. An array of tiki burning torches can add an exotic touch to your patio area. Although torches are designed to withstand a reasonable amount of wind, it's best to provide as much protection as possible to any open flame and never leave one unattended. - Solar-powered lights are an easy and portable choice for outdoor lighting. Some lights have a collector panel that can be concealed behind shrubbery, while others contain their own energy cell and absorb the sun's rays even on a cloudy day.
- Battery-operated and rechargeable units are also wireless and very portable while in use.
- Line-powered or hard-wired lights are connected to the electrical system of your home. Weatherproof lamps may be plugged directly into an outdoor socket. Wire for lighting that is further from the house runs through buried conduits. The most permanent of outdoor lighting, it is also the most expensive, sometimes costing in the tens of thousands of dollars. It should be installed by a licensed electrician.
- Low-voltage units also connect to the electrical system of your home, but are fitted with a transformer that reduces the electrical current from 120 volts to a safer supply of 12 volts. Although they are less durable than line-powered fixtures, they are also a lot less expensive and are ideal for a small outside space where only short cable runs are required. They are designed for an easy do-it-yourself installation.
Whatever your light source, keep these tips in mind: - Less is more in lighting. Be subtle: try to hide lights where possible and use a low watt bulb.
- Avoid setting lights in straight lines up and down paths, drives or patio edges. This "airport runway" effect is a very common error.
- Yellow lights are unflattering to both people and plants. Where possible, install blue-white bulbs or purchase daylight-blue filters for your fixtures.
- Position outside lights where they are easily accessible for changing light bulbs. Investing in long-life outdoor bulbs will make the maintenance even easier.
- With any unit requiring electricity, use the protection of ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on all outdoor circuits.
Don't let the sun dictate the use of your outdoor space. Get outside after dark and light up the night! About The Author Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space". Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com
Related News
Learning from the ground up - The Nelson Mail
The Nelson Mail |
Learning from the ground upThe Nelson Mail, New Zealand -20 hours agoGolden Bay's Sol Morgan credits his mother for his love of gardening, and now he's inspiring a new generation to unearth the benefits of growing their own ... |
Seabrook on ... Solidarity during tough times - Horticulture Week
Seabrook on ... Solidarity during tough timesHorticulture Week, UK -11 hours agoBy combining, the hosts get the chance to speak to a larger audience (it promises to be over 200 gardening communicators), both save money on the provision ... |
Master Gardeners program growing in area - Branson Daily News
Master Gardeners program growing in areaBranson Daily News, United States -Nov 20, 2008By attending 30 hours of classes that deal with subjects on ornamentals, landscaping, turf management and vegetable production, these gardeners will join a ... |
Everything's rosy for youngsters learning gardening skills - The Star
A ‘green’ green thumb Extension gardening classes will teach ... - The Register-Guard
Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, gardening scouts - DavidsonNews.net
Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, gardening scoutsDavidsonNews.net, NC -Nov 20, 2008They noticed that the landscaping around the new buildings appeared a bit sparse and knew the view from their third floor balcony could be improved. ... |
Garden sector lures City workers as recession hits financial firms - Horticulture Week
6 Fort Worth garden shops built their way up on a dream - Dallas Morning News
Gardening Calendar, updated Nov 19 - TCPalm
Gardening Calendar, updated Nov 19TCPalm, FL -Nov 19, 2008"Florida Native Landscaping": University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center; 2199 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce; 4-7 pm, ... |
BEHIND OUR STONE WALLS: Ready to face the world - Harvard Post
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Fall Garden Planning - Garden Plans for Next Spring and Ordering by Mail
It's August, the weather has cooled a bit here and the summer monsoons where I live in New Mexico have begun. The kids are starting back to school and I feel the onset of fall. I'm getting that garden planning itch again! It happens 2-3 times a year... This time, it's time to start ordering bulbs and perennials for fall planting. I'm always planning how my garden will look better next season and I suppose most of you do the same. Fall is the perfect time to plant for established growth next spring!
The Indoor Garden: Plants that Clean the Air
There are many reasons for creating an indoor garden ? significant among them is the need to clean the toxins from our homes and offices. As a consequence of the energy crisis in the 1970's, today's homes and offices are built to conserve energy and the outcome has been a lack of air exchange, with the resulting increase of indoor air pollution. The World Health Organization has stated, "there's probably more damage to human health from indoor pollution than from outdoor pollution." Symptoms associated with indoor pollution include allergies, asthma, eye, nose, and throat irritations, fatigue, headache, nervous system disorders, respiratory and sinus congestion. In today's society more and more people exhibit these symptoms as a result of staying indoors the majority of the time.
The Protea Family (Proteaceae)
The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground covers, trees and shrubs that often make superb garden plants. While some of the species are frost-tender, they are in all other respects remarkably resilient plants that often thrive in situations where others would rapidly succumb. Poor soils and hot dry positions that scarcely seem capable of supporting life are often ideal for Proteaceae. If any plants could be said to thrive on neglect the proteas can.
Water Ponds and Wildlife - How To Attract More Animals to Your Backyard
Wildlife require water just as humans do. Water is essential for life. Songbirds use it for bathing and preening; waterfowl and shorebirds for finding food and escaping predators; and muskrat, mink and beaver for every part of their existence.
How to Buy a Porch Swing
The Porch Swing is enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to the latest Home & Garden trend towards building "Garden Rooms". Patio Furniture Retailers have responded by flooding the market with so many options that making a choice can be a daunting task. Here are some factors that you should consider to help you make the best Porch Swing choice for you:
Pressure Washing Decks
A beautiful wooden deck, properly maintained, can add
greatly to the aesthetic and resale values of a home.
The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate
With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has long been commended as the ideal choice for outdoor furniture. It has qualities unlike any other wood in its ability to withstand the rigors of adverse climates, yet weather attractively.
Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (part 4) Environment
THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.
Gardening and Flowers
Gardening is one of life's pleasures whether you grow flowers, vegetables or herbs; we look forward to the planting season. But whether you are new or seasoned gardener, it's important to remember a few basic things.
How To Build A Waterfall
The number one, most asked question that I receive about water features is "How do I build a waterfall?"
The Amazing Hummingbird
Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.
Flowers and Butterflies, the Perfect Combination!
Spring is coming fast and with it the colors of the world come to life. The spring season is not just a time for the gardens to bloom, but a season for the butterfly to come to life as well. Your garden is an ocean of color and to keep this ocean of color coming back in the spring, your use of perennial bulbs, flowers, seeds, and shrubs will lessen tasks in the early spring. Butterflies that add that complete 'special touch' to your gardens will eagerly look for homes in your gardens if you can provide what it is they are searching for.
Nontoxic Pest Control for Your Home and Garden
Pesticides are toxic and, while often effective against pests, can be dangerous for your family and pets. Outdoors, sprayed pesticides might drift on a breeze and dust your vegetable garden or your neighbor's yard. Indoors, pesticides can linger in the air, exposing the family to harmful chemicals. For these reasons, many people are turning to nontoxic pest control methods.
How to Water Your Houseplants Wisely
Over watering ranks first in causes of houseplant demise because
it causes roots to rot. Most plants are tough so they can
recover from under watering with only the loss of a few leaves
-- unless you wait too long and pass the point of no return.
Introducting KOI-Cam!
This is a project I've had on the back burner for many months
now, but now it's finally ready!
Selling Your House? Trim Your Shrubs!
Shrubbery and other greenery that has an unkempt appearance can often be misconstrued as a sign of neglect, and gives a bad impression of your house overall. Prospective homebuyers who see shrubbery that has not been well maintained may not even be aware of their observation, but it will have an impact on the way they view your property as a whole.
Fall Flowering Bulbs
Deciduous trees dazzle us with the brilliance of the golds, oranges and reds they display before dropping their leaves in the autumn. However, you don't have to be satisfied with autumn leaf color alone. Consider planting fall flower bulbs.
You Cant Beat Perennials For Glorious Color All Season Long
When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think that all you have to do is get your plants into the ground, and with the exception of weeding, watering and cutting back, your garden will be done.
But here's what really happens: in the first year your new plants are underwhelming ? the clumps small, the flowers sparse. By the second year, your perennials have grown fuller and have more flowers, but in the third season ? watch out ? your plants look like they're on steroids, and you look like an accomplished gardener.
After that, many plants get bigger each season, while the odd one confounds you by doing a disappearing act. Responding to the inevitable change is your challenge as a flower gardener.
Veteran gardeners say that no flower garden is ever truly finished. When I was starting out about 15 years ago, my husband used to joke that my plants should have been on wheels because I moved them so much.
Perennial plants are the backbone of the flower garden because they're the plants with staying power. Their leaves die back as winter approaches, but with luck, the following spring, they come back. Some plants are short-lived, but old favorites like daylilies, hostas and peonies can last for decades.
Gardening for Birds Part 2
We've had some well needed rain this past week, though it makes it a bit
difficult to get chores done outside.
How to Rid that Lawn of Thatch!
You know that brown patchy debris in a lawn that accumulates on
top of the soil but below the grass line? That's thatch.
|
