Saturday, August 7, 2010

Cascade Light About your Home With Garden Lighting

Many could look at landscape lighting as an extravegence, missing the practical elements of light and safety. Step lighting and exterior lighting along paths increase safety and enhance the overall dramatic effect of your home. Still , landscape lighting is more about atmosphere than safety. Even an elementary water feature becomes stunning by supplying landscape lighting, trees or a sculpture can all benefit from a well thought out landscape lighting display.

Out-of-door lighting can be stunning in its beauty and provides a safe, secure and welcoming enviroment. Set up right the attractiveness that it creates is without doubt. Landscape lighting is developing into the most striking outdoor lighting improvement to gardens around the planet and is a compulsory “Yes” for householders looking for a prominent way to enhance their lives at home.

Out-of-door lighting is usually a wise choice, but particularly about water features, which present a particular danger at nightime and is perfect for highlighting paths. Quite popular today are low-voltage landscape lighting set-ups. These systems generally come complete with a step-down transformer. A vast variety of low voltage fixtures can be found to achieve a range of lighting effects.

Solar outside lighting renders many opportunities for you to include into your gardening project including pathway, driveway lights, accent lights, lanterns, fountains, and spotlights. Yet, the PV panel employed to charge the battery must be in an area where it will receive a great deal of direct sunlight. Now that manufacturing techniques have improved and price tags are falling , solar lighting has become the hottest segment in the horticultural industry. It is a fast easy option that can brighten up your yard decor or landscape.

You can always add to permanent lighting with table top lanterns and solar garden lighting located among shrubs to shed a glow about your garden. When planning your new garden landscaping project, it is paramount to nail down the number of lights involved. Try experimenting with your timing and using different systems to change the mood over the evening eg set for evening, not too subdued, and with a ruddy orange ambiance.There are lots of designs for exterior lighting from which you can pick out. Naturally, virtually all lighting, usually, is provided by the sun, modulated by clouds and strained by vegetation. Light, or its absence can vastly change the visual effect of your gardening efforts.

Add Some Magic With Garden Lighting

Anyone who knows me well knows that there is no place I would rather be at the end of a long day than out in my garden enjoying a cup of tea. In the cool fall and spring months, I prefer a cup of hot peppermint tea in my garden, and in the heat of summer I apt for a cup of iced lemon tea. There is something magical about being in my backyard garden that I just cannot get enough of. I have read more books, journaled more pages, and shared more great conversations with my family in our garden than almost anywhere else. The atmosphere of my garden was recently made even more magical when we strung garden lighting throughout the entire thing.
I have no idea why I hadn’t thought of using great garden lighting before, but I was definitely open to the idea when my artistically driven teenage daughter suggested it as we sat on our back porch one night with tea cups. She thought that garden lighting might do something special for the mood of the garden and that it might make us want to spend even more time there.
Before I knew it we had sat our tea cups down and were headed to a local gardening store to see what kinds of garden lighting we could find. We were amazed when we took time to look through the store at how many garden lighting options we had. We choose a few strings of tiny Chinese laterns that we in bright teal and olive colors. We both loved them and knew that they would be the perfect garden lighting for our needs.
We rushed home and decided not to wait until morning to put the garden lighting up. Instead, we went immediately to our backyard garden and began stringing the lights from tree to tree to tree. After checking to see that all of the bulbs worked, we decided not to let ourselves turn the garden lighting on until we had it all up and hanging in place. I’m so glad we waited because when we finally turned on our new garden lighting it was amazing. The small and colorful Chinese laterns did a lot for the look and feel of our garden. The garden lighting only made it more inviting than it was before.
We gathered the rest of our family and brought them outside to see our work. They enjoyed the garden lighting as much as we did and within minutes we were making popcorn and had plans to enjoy the backyard garden together that evening. I love the way my garden lighting looks, but even more than that I love the way our garden has become a gathering place for the people I love most.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Garden Lighting Techniques and Ideas

With the right lights, you not only offer the necessary lighting for social interactions, but you also highlight the garden, a fountain, or any other extra features in your yard. Therefore, solar garden lights, with low potential difference lights, are a landscape lighting selection. However, they are a plain prize for many small gardeners due to their availability, low price, batch size, and low heat emission. Suppose having the option of placing a light all but anywhere in the landscape area without headache for trenching, wiring or electromotive force drop issues. Incorporating lighting in your garden will highlight your favorite features and produce a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere for your backyard seaport. The trouble with solar garden lights is that they tend to have only a small area of solar cells and a relatively small assault and battery capacity.
Solar landscape rocks and solar stones can help you mark a tree or add punctuate light to your garden decor. Use garden lighting to light up a water feature or a flowerbed or a path or a session area.Pressure sodium grow lights one can set up a grow room to make fruits and vegetables all year. Larger numbers racket of plants can be grown in small spaces because less space is required between plants. I know that fashioning your backyard beautiful has to be done on a budget, and I want to help you stay on your budget while lighting your yard and fashioning it available at any time, hence in this article and my other ones I hope to show you just what can be created on a tight budget. Solar vitality recharges batteries during daylight hours. Outdoor lighting keeps driveways, garden paths and stairs safe for walk after dark, and in these modern times I find it really gives you that extra feeling of security particularly on those dark winter evenings when you get home from work or a night out.
Take a look around the internet and in particular auction sites and find the back yard patio light that best suits your style and needs, at a budget that is right for you. Envisage having the option of placing a light most anywhere in the landscape area without come to for trenching, wiring or electromotive force drop issues. The south room of light is pure light filled with all of the sky above and below, and all this for just a few pounds a bit of work and a lot of creativity. In no time at all you will be the talk of your street!

The Reality of Installing Solar Powered Garden Lights

Solar powered lights for home gardens have come along way.  They used to be unreliable because they broke down easily and only turned on for a few hours before needing to recharge.  But in the past few years, the technology behind solar powered lights has improved greatly and solar powered lights has become one of the best way to decorate the exterior of homes.  Great thing is they also save money at the same time.  There is nothing more mesmerizing than colorful display of lights on a house in the dark of night.

Still, when in the market for solar powered garden lights, it is best to first understand how they work.  First of all, they are not like the familiar electric lights we use in our kitchen.  Solar power lights do not use electricity or battery.  So they attract many homeowners who want to be decorative and, at the same time, save money.  But, one thing to keep in mind is that they rely on optimum placement in the garden to work properly.

Solar powered outdoor lights use solar panels to absorb sunlight in the daytime.  The panels are connected to solar cells that turn the sunlight into energy which is then stored in a battery.  At night, the battery powers the bulb until energy is used up.  The cycle repeats the next day so that light is available at night.  The great advantage of a solar powered garden light is that it never needs any electricity.

Using solar powered lighting is simple, but there are a few small pointers to understand.  For example, in order to receive full performance, there must enough exposure to direct sunlight in order to charge the battery.  Now, some solar powered garden lights can recharge using any daylight including during cloudy days.  But having direct sunlight is the best source.  This means that in most places of the world, a solar powered garden light will perform better during summer than in the winter.  And that’s just normal.

Also, by it’s nature, a solar power bulb is not as powerful as a typical 60 watt bulb.  So lighting may seem dim when compared to traditional light.  But it’s enough for some purpose, such as pathway or driveway lighting and evening garden decor.  It is best to use as many solar lights as possible since these do not use electricity.  The more lights, the better.  Additionally, a solar powered LED light might be a better pick than non-LED light because it is brighter.

To summarize, solar powered lights are fantastic for low light duties such as pathway lighting, accenting garden floral arrangements, or mood lighting.  They don’t use electricity and can save money in the long term.  If the need for light is for reading or other activities requiring brightness, then it’s better to use the traditional light bulbs.

Garden Lighting ? Sell Your Home

Selling your home has become quite difficult over the past year, many people due to the credit crunch have decided that they will hold off on buying a new house until the economical climate has improved and everything is a little more stable. If you are selling your home this is probably the worst time to do so but that is not to say that people aren’t buying, the numbers may be less than last year but people are still buying houses slowly but surely. If you are trying to sell your home there are some tips you can follow to help your home look more appealing. One great way to give your home the x factor is to use garden lighting. Lighting your front garden gives your home curb appeal which means people driving past will want to look inside, your house will stand out from the rest on the street that do not have garden lighting. If a viewer has already seen five houses that day your house will stick in their mind being a visually pleasing house, they’ll remember the house with the beautiful garden and garden lighting. This wow factor does not have to be limited to your front garden; you can have lighting in your back garden as well creating a sanctuary that is peaceful and relaxing and a great area for the kids to play out in. What Kind of Garden Lighting is there? When you enter the world of garden lighting you will see that there are many options of the different types of lighting available. You have the choice of wall lanterns, lamp posts, floor lightings, hanging lanterns, and pedestals. So you have the choice of lighting the walls or the floor or having a lighting feature. You do not have to go overboard and make your gardens look like Blackpool illuminations but just a few simple lighting touches will make your home look fantastic helping you sell it to the viewers.

Selling your home has become quite difficult over the past year, many people due to the credit crunch have decided that they will hold off on buying a new house until the economical climate has improved and everything is a little more stable. If you are selling your home this is probably the worst time to do so but that is not to say that people aren’t buying, the numbers may be less than last year but people are still buying houses slowly but surely. If you are trying to sell your home there are some tips you can follow to help your home look more appealing. One great way to give your home the x factor is to use garden lighting. Lighting your front garden gives your home curb appeal which means people driving past will want to look inside, your house will stand out from the rest on the street that do not have garden lighting. If a viewer has already seen five houses that day your house will stick in their mind being a visually pleasing house, they’ll remember the house with the beautiful garden and garden lighting. This wow factor does not have to be limited to your front garden; you can have lighting in your back garden as well creating a sanctuary that is peaceful and relaxing and a great area for the kids to play out in.

What Kind of Garden Lighting is there?

When you enter the world of garden lighting you will see that there are many options of the different types of lighting available. You have the choice of wall lanterns, lamp posts, floor lightings, hanging lanterns, and pedestals. So you have the choice of lighting the walls or the floor or having a lighting feature. You do not have to go overboard and make your gardens look like Blackpool illuminations but just a few simple lighting touches will make your home look fantastic helping you sell it to the viewers.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Ideas for Garden Lights

Adding lighting to the garden can take on any design that the homeowner wants. There are many different , some designed to create an extended living space beyond the interior of the home and others designed more for safety and security. Still other ideas combine the two to create a safe, warm, outdoor living space for entertaining or simply enjoying in the early evening hours during wind down time.Solar garden lights are one idea for garden lights that bring the added benefit of saving electricity, which fits in well with the big push to go green and save the environment. Solar lights also allow the homeowner to do the installation without the aid of an electrical contractor while at the same time providing ample lighting and beauty.Solar lighting is available in many of the same designs as traditional electrical lighting including solar landscape rocks for pathway lighting and solar stake lighting for enhancing garden features and bringing the landscape to life. There are solar hanging lights that can be draped in bushes to bring them alive after the sun goes down.Water features are greatly enhanced with garden lights. There are both in-water and waterside lights to help bring water features to the forefront of the garden scene. Pools and ponds can be outfitted with underwater colored lights that create amazing shadow dances across and underneath the water. Water fixtures such as fountains can be accented with spotlights or hidden lighting that casts its glow on the piece, making it stand out from the cover of darkness.If safety and security are the main concern with garden light designs then little more is needed than pathway lighting and possible motion detection lighting for dark corners of the landscape so that intruders will avoid the area. Pathway lighting can be used to line driveways, walkways and other walking areas of the landscape. This type of lighting can vary and be as subtle as landscape rocks with lighting built in or post lighting installed every few feet to light the way to the comforts of home. are limited only by the imagination and creation of the landscape designer or homeowner. Choose a plan that accents the garden or provides a sense of safety and let the garden be a place of respite and fun to all who visit.

Solar Garden Lights For Your Dream Garden

Solar lighting indeed works well in the garden. You may use solar garden lights for lighting the gardens and yards adjoining your house. These lights are easier to install, are maintenance free and they cost you nearly nothing to function. All you need to bear is the cost for replacing those batteries that power solar lights, since they use sunlight for this purpose. You may set the solar garden lights to function automatically at night. They stay lit for more than 9 hours.

 

Individuals need to position solar lights in the area where there is ample supply of sunlight in the day. Solar lighting might not work well if the pathway or garden is shaded. Solar garden lights may work six to twelve hours in the evening depending on how much sunlight it receives in the day. These lights have built-in photosensor. The photosensor turns on the lights when it grows dark.

 

Solar garden lights stay lit until sun rises or the battery depletes, whichever is earlier. If you take proper care, solar panels are likely to last for twenty years. Solar lighting highlights certain elements of the landscape or illuminates the dark paths. It is not easy for thieves to steal the solar lights since they are installed permanently on a patio or deck using a screwdriver making it hard to remove them.

 

In the spring and fall, when you arrive home early evening, often, it just starts growing dark or turns out dark completely. With solar lighting, as energy saver that you install in your garden, you comfortably watch over your garden. You can also water it. People usually prefer watering their garden in the evening hours, since evaporation here does not create any problem. Solar garden lights create an ambience of safety and warmth.

 

solar lights is indeed the right choice for your garden, entry path or deck, as it creates a glow. Your garden looks beautifully illuminated and is a center of attention for passers-by. As you step into your garden, you get the feel as if you are at home. These spotlights offer a spectacular look to plain trees at night and increase the value of your property.

Garden Lighting - Tips for Making Your Home Safer

Garden lighting has increased in popularity in parallel with the development, availability and increasing illumination quality of solar-powered garden lighting and today they are a worthwhile investment for the conservatory owner.In the early days of solar lighting, many people were put off them because many poor quality items were made, but today’s units are generally both efficient and reliable and will repay an investment in them with the power savings made over their lifetime use.Alternative energy sources are not just about saving money, they are better for the environment and in a garden present fewer technical problems when it comes to installation compared with wired-in units.You can use garden lighting to illuminate specific trees, shrubs or bedding and move the solar-powered units around depending on the season, choosing the best garden features to illuminate. You can also use them to down-light pathways and steps, making your garden safer to walk in at night.Lighting can also make your home safer by discouraging thieves from using the garden as an entry point to your home.The only drawback with solar-powered lights is that in shady areas of the garden they may not get enough sun light to charge them, so you need to place them in spots where they will get adequate light for the charging process.You also need to find out how long your lights can stay on during the evening and into the night. So before you invest in them, check the manufacturers descriptions carefully and ask anyone you know who already has solar-powered lighting, what their experience has been.Most solar-powered garden lights will switch on automatically at dusk, but if you want light through the night it is sensible to mix these with the type that are triggered by motion sensors. Neighborhood cats, squirrels and other small garden visitors may switch motion sensor lights on, but so will un-wanted intruders.Most models of lights now use Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s). These are long lasting and energy efficient; provide adequate bright light for most users will let them enjoy parts of their garden from inside their conservatories at night.

Create Your Dream Garden with Solar Garden Lights

Solar energy is used widely in the world today. The demand of these products is increasing in the market, as they are able to provide numerous benefits for the users. Apart from helping you to save your money, these products are also safe. There are also different types of solar lighting that can be used in the garden. You can use the solar garden lights for the lighting of the gardens and courtyards adjacent to your home. These lights are easier to install, require no maintenance and they cost almost nothing to operate. Everything you need to have is the cost of replacement batteries for the solar lights as they use sunlight for this purpose. It is possible that solar garden lighting to run automatically at night. They stay lit for more than nine hours.

Individuals need to put solar lights in the area where there is ample supply of sun during the day. The solar lighting may not work well if the path or the garden is shaded. Garden solar lights can work six to twelve hours in the night depending on the amount of sunlight it receives during the day. These lights have built-in sensor, which turns on the lights when it gets dark.

Solar garden lights remain until the sun rises or the battery runs out, whichever comes first. If you are taking proper care of these products, they are capable of lasting more than twenty years. Solar lighting highlights some features of the landscape and dark ways. It is not easy for thieves to steal the sunlight and that are installed permanently on a patio or deck with a screwdriver so it is difficult to remove.

During the spring and fall, when you get home late, often only begins to darken or is completely dark. With Solar lighting, you will be able to easily ensure the lighting in your garden. You can also water your garden in the night with the help of these lights. There are many people who usually prefer to water their garden at night, as the evaporation creates no problem during that time. Solar lights are capable of creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety in your garden.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Reasons to Consider Solar Garden Lighting

Everyone knows that solar energy is clean energy, unlike fossil fuels that are damaging the atmosphere and becoming rapidly extinct as well. It is also a well-known fact that solar energy is long lasting and safe, another trait that most fossil fuels can’t claim. What many people might not realize is that this energy can now be used in the landscape with solar garden lighting products. There are many for a landscape project to enhance the home’s natural beauty and bring natural light into the dark. A few reasons to consider using solar garden lights follow:First, they provide light for safety and security. They light the way around paths and outdoor features and help to ward off intruders by lighting up the dark. Outdoor lights provide added life to areas of the yard that would otherwise be inaccessible if there were no light.  Secondly, solar garden lights do not waste electricity; they are powered by the most widely available source of energy known to man, the sun. Moreover, they are automated through the use of photocells that turn them off and on according to the light outside, which makes them efficient in saving light bulbs and the batteries that power the lights.Thirdly, the installation of solar garden lights is much simpler than electrical garden lights. The installation is so simple that most homeowners can do it themselves with in the course of a weekend if the plan has been designed ahead of time.  The majority of solar garden lights are installed by simply placing them where they are going to stay by pushing them into the ground or hanging them on poles in trees. Wall mounted solar lights are simply a matter of screws or bolts used to attach them to the walls and pavers with lights are placed on a level ground. Nothing could be easier. The reasons for installing outdoor solar garden lighting are many more than are included here and all just as valid. As technology grows so does the ways in which solar power will benefit the home and landscape. Using the sun as a free source of power is just one way to take advantage of this free gift.

Different Uses For Outdoor Garden Lights

Outdoor Garden lights are a great asset to your yard so I have put together some common ways of using them.

1. Lighting Up Paths: By placing your light strategically along your drive and pathways around your garden they will act as a guide to show your guests the way. This is a good safety measure particularly if you have uneven surfaces or steps leading from one level to another.

2. Spot Lights: A well thought out feature light can add magic to your waterfall, archway or garden sculpture at night. During the day most people are too busy, or out at work, so it is often only at night when you can relax and admire your garden features. It is therefore important that you light these up, either from above or below, so that you are able to put your feet up at the end of the day and get enjoyment from them.

3. Deck Lighting: If you get pleasure from outdoor entertaining then you can add a bit of magic to your evening with family and friends by using outdoor garden lights on your deck. An evening meal outdoors is very pleasant on a warm summer night but you certainly need a bit of lighting. Its a good idea to customize the looks of the outside lights with the indoor lights to give that continual theme. Bright lights will distract from a beautiful moonlight night and spoil the night sky. Therefore try to use subtle lighting techniques rather than a glaring spotlight lighting up the whole area.

4. Security: One of the best ways to protect your home, according to the FBI, is to have adequate outdoor lighting. Motion lights are activated when someone approaches your home and help them see where they are walking. It makes it a much safer approach to your home, but also will give would be home invaders second thoughts as they could be exposed and identified.

5. Pool Lighting: If you have invited friends over for a pool party then lighting in the pool will add to the atmosphere and festivities especially if colored lights are utilized. There is nothing more satisfying than an evening by the pool when you have a beautiful arrangement of floating lights, or your fountain is taking on a spectacular array of colours. Lighting will also improve the safety aspect in your garden as it will save children or pets from wandering into the pool at night.

There are many choices of lighting available today that will satisfy any desire and fit into any type of landscape.

Planning Outdoor Garden Lighting

Outdoor garden lighting can create a place of respite and beauty. It can turn a darkened backyard into an entertainment area or place to unwind after a long day. On the other hand, if proper planning of outdoor garden lighting is not implemented it can be an overpowering, glaring eyesore in the neighborhood.

Planning outdoor lighting requires taking into account many factors, such as what types of activities might occur outside after dark or how close the nearest neighbors are and how they will react to a brightly lit yard. Outdoor lighting affects more than just the home it is installed out, it also affects the neighborhood. Consider Christmas and those neighbors who tend to go overboard. Now imagine that same lighting year-round.

The first thing to remember when designs is that there are many different watt light bulbs. A much softer effect can be garnered using many low voltage lights than can be had using high voltage, bright lights that are obnoxiously glaring.

Outdoor lighting is not meant to turn the darkness into daylight, rather it is mean to enhance the atmosphere and add enough light to maneuver and enjoy company. Lighting for the garden is a good place to practice the less is principal.

Another important aspect in planning outdoor lighting is determining where people will gather. For example, if there is a seating area, it is safe to assume that some type of lighting should be included in that area. Typically, down lighting is used in outdoor garden lighting plans. However, this does not have to be the case. Recessed lighting around the seating area or uplighting located in nearby shrubbery is other options.

Security lighting should not be overlooked during the planning process. Large lawns often have areas that are extremely dark when the sun goes down. Either these areas should have dusk to dawn light or a motion activated light in place so that would-be intruders find these areas less attractive. Path lighting for walking is another security aspect that should not be overlooked.

The best outdoor garden lighting plans are implemented using professionals who have taken every aspect of the home and homeowner into account during the design process. In the end, the lighting plan will be the beacon that brings friends together on warm summer nights.

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Do Solar Power Garden Lights Really Work?

Solar power garden lights are the perfect way to illuminate your garden in the evenings using the free power the sun provides all day. These solar power light systems have been improved in recent years and today provide a brighter light that can last an entire evening. These systems can be used to light up a pathway, landscaping or a garden, and are available in a wide variety of styles to match any decor you may have.What Makes Up A Lighting SystemA basic solar power outdoor lighting system consists of several components. The charging system that provides the power to the lights in the evening is made up of a solar panel to convert the sunlight to power and a battery to store that power for later use. In the simplest of these solar power garden lights, both of these components are part of the actual light housing. This allows you to simply place the light where you need it and have the sun charge it up during the day. Challenges of a Self-Contained UnitEven though this type of solar power outdoor lighting is simple, it is not the perfect solution for all of your needs. The challenge with using this style of light in a garden is that where you need the light may not have a great exposure to sunlight. In gardens, there tends to be a lot more shade than along a pathway and this shade will block the sun from charging the solar power lights. In this case, where you need the lights to be in one area and the charging system in another, you can use a system that separates the two. Single Power Sourced Lighting SystemThis type of solar power outdoor lighting system has the solar collector and the battery enclosed in a single unit which is the only component that needs to be placed in direct sunlight. The charging module connects to the lights and will provide power to your lights through a small cable. This allows you to locate the solar power garden lights where you need them and still be able to adequately charge the system.Bulb ConsiderationsAnother thing you need to take into consideration is what style of bulb to use indoor solar power lights. Older systems used a standard bulb that did not offer a lot of choice in the type of illumination it provided. Additionally, these older systems tended to cast a somewhat blue tinted light that many consumers disliked. Newer solar power lights have a wider choice of bulb styles that allow you to provide a range of lighting choices from a small amount of illumination up to a spotlight. This way you can design the perfect solar power lighting system illumination scheme to suit your every lighting need.LEDs Provide Light All Night LongBecause of improvements in the bulb technology, these newer solar power lights are brighter and whiter than older systems. Some of them even use LED bulbs that can last for years and draw very little power, which enables them to light a pathway or garden for an entire evening on a single charge. Some of the systems also include sensors that will turn the lights on at dusk and off again in the morning. This is a nice feature and allows the system to provide the light you need in the evenings without the added expense of adding a switch to the system.For more great FREE information on Solar Power Garden Lights and anything pertaining to home solar power systems check out my website http://www.solarpoweringyourhome.com/

The Benefits Of An Herb Garden Light

Growing under an herb garden light is a growing trend for those who grow their own herbs. In order to understand the trend, it is beneficial to know the upsides to growing in such conditions. Purists may say it is wrong to grow in anything other than natural conditions. The question you have to ask yourself is are you worried about how the plant feels, or are you worried more about having a good crop? If the point of gardening for you is to get outside, than growing under lights is not for you. If you simply want a great looking plant you can use, consider artificial lighting options.Providing consistent light to your plants is a challenge for anyone who grows outdoors. Weather conditions present problems all the time. When growing under an herb garden light, you can control exactly how much light your garden gets every day. You can set a timer in order to turn the light on automatically as well as turn it back off. You can also build a sunscreen into sections of your indoor garden in order to provide indirect light as needed. The high intensity bulbs provide the closest thing to natural light other than the real thing. By being able to control the amount of light your plants get, it is like providing sunny days every day of the year.With an herb garden light, you can control the type of light your plants are getting. There are different bulbs available which will allow you to control exactly the length of the light waves your herbs are receiving. This is important to give your plants what they are looking for in different growing stages. You can also combine lights in order to get a cross of different wavelengths at once. This is a good transition from one kind of light source to another. The changing of the seasons brings along cooler temperatures and a change in the quality of light you are receiving. When you use an herb garden light, you will be able to control the quality of light year round. You will not have to worry about whether your plants are getting exactly the kind of light they need to survive or not. They will be receiving the most consistent light possible because you will be able to control it.No matter what the reason is you are growing indoors, you will enjoy the results you see from using an herb garden light. In order to buy the lighting system you will use, you can visit your local nursery. They should have all the options you need in order to grow the best garden possible. Another option for buying your lighting system to keep in mind is the home improvement store. Many stores have a nursery attached to them, which makes things even easier. Just remember to have fun with growing your herbs. The amount of fun you have in growing your herbs will come through in the way they grow.

Enhancing Garden Decoratioon with Garden Lights

Garden lights are devices you need the most to add both aesthetic value and security to your home. Its application allows you to enjoy your garden anytime you want, even when the day turns into night.Garden lights give you many functions. When you hold an evening garden party, they will expose the whole beauty of your garden. It becomes an additional entertainment for your guests. They also become a security feature as they help you seeing strangers walking on your garden.Nowadays, you can find many garden lights on markets that vary in colors, models, ad of course prices. You just need to choose ones to fulfill your favor or ones that match the theme of your ponds.  For more attractive look, you can install different colors that reflect different lights. You may also give timer for each light, so they can form interesting shade variation because of time differences.Garden lights have some types that fit your needs. If you want to expose your plants or trees, you need feature lights. Different kind of lights is needed when you tend to choose ones to mount on a wall. For this case, spotlights are what you are looking for.If you want something different and unique, uplights are a good idea. This model has casings which are buried in the ground, so it creates attractive view whenever you step on your garden. It is good to arrange this kind of lights in pathway as its existence is like shining stepping stones. Installing them all will be nice if your garden is wide enough, so the lights are balance.Solar lights are a good choice for those want devices that are environmentally friendly. They are money-saving as they require little electricity. You can find them easily in stores, with affordable price! They are wireless and easy to maintain while they provide you eases. They feature a sensor that enables them to automatically turn on and turn off.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Learn What Garden Lights To Get

Many of us will put together a garden so that our grounds are not dull and lifeless. It also supplies us with a place where we are able to unwind and savor the fresh air. Planting exquisite flowers, creating a pond, and placing out benches and trellises are simply one portion when making this special area. The best way to make it genuinely come alive is to use garden lights.There are many lights that you can use and each of these will deviate in size and how they are used. When purchasing these you have to first search for something that is going to help to keep your home and grounds safe. You should have something that will aid you to see where you are walking around at night. Try to put in path lights in distinct areas and lights that cover a large area.It is always great to have a couple of floodlights around particular parts of the garden. At night criminals like to appear and use the darkness and shadows to work their way into homes. With enough light and floodlights in the weakened areas you will discourage them from coming into your yard. These need to be designed with sensors that are tripped when someone crosses its path.If you have an area where you like to grill out and eat than you should set up units around that area. These need to be bright enough so that you can see what you are doing – but not so much that you lose the ambience of being in the clean, night air. Stand up lights designed in the shape of lamps are the strongest to use.The most effective garden light you should buy are the units that are going to emphasize the most significant parts of the area. These can be large or small and be situated round your favorite flowers, trees, or the pond.

Setting Up a Home Herb Garden

There are many different reasons why you would want to start your own home herb garden. One of the most popular reasons is for cooking. Others like to have the herbs for aromatic purposes. No matter what you’re reasoning, this guide is here to help you get started. Planting and maintaining an herb garden is a very easy thing to do. Many herbs are very hardy and will require very little on your part. Those, which require more attention, will be within your home and constantly on your mind.The first thing you will want to do is decide where you want your home herb garden to be. Some people believe plants belong outside. Others would like to have their herbs close to their stove for easy access. The location of your herb garden will determine what you will need to do. While aesthetics may be very important to you, you need to keep in mind what is best for the plant. You want to grow your herb in the best possible conditions. This will allow you to enjoy the herbs for years to come.For beginners, the windowsill is a great place to set up a home herb garden. You can buy the pots and soil in the same location you buy your seed. There are many different kinds of planting pots to choose from. You are sure to find one, which will fit your home decor. Many people like to opt for a multiple pot tray for their garden. This will allow you to have several herbs without having a cluttered look. Make sure the window you choose get enough light for the herbs you are growing.Those with a little more experience in gardening may want to plant outside. This will allow your home herb garden to have more variety. You will be able to grow herbs, which need more space. Basil is an herb best grown outside. This is because of the way the leaves soak up the sun. Before planting, you will want to determine whether you have the right soil. You will also want to determine the time of year you are planting. Rosemary will grow practically year round, while Basil is more of a summer herb.Soil, water, air and light are the basic essentials to a good home herb garden. You will want to maintain a soil, which is moist to the touch. Be careful not to over water as you will kill your herbs. If you notice your soil is fine, but your plant is limp it may not be getting enough sunlight. A change will have to be made in order to maintain the health of your plant. As your herb garden grows, you may notice a tendency for the herbs to struggle. This is because they have used up the nutrients in the soil. You can either replace the soil, or mix in plant food to your water. This will allow your plants to continue to thrive.Remember, some plants will be resilient to being plucked while others will die. Rosemary will continue to grow after having leaves removed. Basil may have some trouble bouncing back after having leaves removed. Using proper pruning practices will allow you to be able to enjoy your herbs now and later. Simply by giving your herbs everything they need, you will be able to enjoy them for years to come. Enjoy setting up your home herb garden today to enjoy your plants tomorrow.

Cool Outdoor Ideas - Solar Garden Lights

Solar garden lights are both a fun and practical way to go green. They can be attractive accents to your yard or garden; indeed, they can beautify any place you could choose to put them, on your lawn, deck, patio, or in a garden path. These lights, also called photovoltaic or PV lights, are highly versatile, and can be installed anywhere, in a variety of styles – hanging lights, spotlights (for highlighting a piece of sculpture, a particular decoration, or just illuminating the address on your house), or even swimming pool lights.

Great Looking and PracticalNot only does PV lighting add a touch of elegance to your landscaping, it is also a way to increase safety and security. A well-lit yard can deter thieves; a well-illuminated walkway can prevent falls or other accidents, and be a help to guests coming to your home at night. Swimming pool lights will ensure that people, especially children, don’t accidentally fall into the water.

Save Green, Go GreenSolar lighting is both cost-efficient and eco-friendly. With just a simple solar panel and a few LEDs, you can have a very low-maintenance and low-cost lighting system that draws free energy from the sun. The only maintenance cost would be replacement batteries for each light from time to time. Solar rechargeable batteries are designed to last up to a 1000 nights or more; this would certainly be easy on your pocketbook to replace them only every 2-3 years!

Easy to UseOutdoor garden lights work in a very simple fashion. A photocell in the solar light can be adjusted so that it faces toward the sun throughout the day and collects solar energy. When the sun sets, a built-in photo sensor turns on the light. For the first hours, their light is intensely bright, and becomes less radiant as the night wears on. The solar lights will remain lighted until the battery runs dry of the solar energy it stored during daylight hours, or until sunrise.

Installation Is a SnapThese solar lights are also easy to install, as there is no wiring involved. The only reason you might need wiring is if you really wish to place the lights in an area that is heavily shaded in daytime; then you would need to install a solar panel and run wiring to the lights. Otherwise, it is a matter of placing the lights where they will be exposed to sunshine most of the day.

Unfortunately, you also need to consider that thieves may like your lights so well they steal them. A way of deterrence is to permanently affix your solar patio lights or deck lights to that surface. That isn’t so hard if you know how to use a screwdriver!

Solar garden lights will add a lot of aesthetic value and to your landscaping, in addition to the practical, economical reasons mentioned.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Solar Garden Lights For Your Home

 

Versatility

Most people think that lights powered by the sun have to be short, black lights with little solar panels on the top. But the latest lights come in all shapes and sizes. Suppliers are now offering everything from floating pond lights to external panel shed lights that are often used in bus shelter and commercial applications. Lamp post lights, pond lights, umbrella lights, and table lights can all be powered by the sun these days. And the aesthetics are improving as well. From copper and aluminum to earth tones and neon, these lights come in a wide variety of colors to fit any theme.

Brightness

Do you want to add some mood lighting to your backyard without impacting your power bill? Or do you want to light up the barbecue area so you can actually see what you’re cooking? Solar garden lights can do both of these things with ease. With a huge variety of bulb brightness and color options, virtually any need can be met with these lights. Usually the brighter the light, the larger the panel needed to power it. The advancement of light emitting diode (LED) bulbs has allowed for wider application of solar lighting. These bulbs use far less energy because they are actually off half the time, they just switch off and on so quickly that you can’t see the ‘off’ phase. So you can power a brighter bulb off a smaller panel since it requires less energy.

Installation

Without a doubt, one of the coolest things about lighting your outdoor spaces with photovoltaic lights is the ease of installation. In fact, its often the main reason why people choose them. Because electric cords are not necessary to power the units, they can be installed very quickly and easily. Many lights are often just stuck directly into the soil or grass and they’re done. Others may require some minor drilling and bolting. So set up your lights, let them charge for awhile, and start enjoying your lighted garden!

Choosing the Location

Small garden lights with integrated solar panels need to be exposed to the sunshine of course to absorb the sun’s energy. But it doesn’t need to be exposed to the sun all day to still shine at night. Many lights need only a couple hours of sunshine to generate a few hours of light at night. Most people don’t need lights that burn all night anyway. If you need light in areas that are usually shaded, there are lighting systems with separate panels. These systems can be installed with the bulb housing in the shade and the panel installed nearby but in the sunshine.

Solar Sensors

Nearly all solar lights have electric eyes that tell the light to turn off and on based on daylight. So as soon as the sun goes down the lights turn on and as soon as the sun comes up they turn off. Many have manual controls as well so you can control them yourself.

 

A Home Herb Garden Guide For Beginners

When starting a home herb garden, you may find it difficult to decide which herbs to grow considering the array of herbs from which to select. A first approach would be to consult your supermarket for the herbs you usually buy for your cooking needs. Another good source is a cooking book that contains a chart of various herbs and their appropriate use for flavoring food.Here is a list of the herbs that are commonly used and can be considered as a good starting point for a beginner.

Most herbs can be grown indoors and can be enjoyed all year round. These plants are as easy to grow inside as they would outside and have the same basic needs that you need to provide them with – a lot of sunlight, well-drained soil and,of course, water.When preparing the planting soil, use 2 parts sterilized potting soil for 1 part coarse sand. Put 1 inch of gravel of each pot to insure proper drainage of excess water. Add 1 teaspoon of lime for a 5 inch pot.Make yourself a list of every plant you will be growing and their individual water need. Growing plant tends to need more water, however, it is important to keep the soil moist. Avoid drenching the plant at all time for too much water can easily rot the roots. Misting the plants is a good way to keep them humid between watering.South or west facing windows are always the best choice for growing herbs indoors. Though there are different requirements to each variety of herbs, most need a sunny location to grow well. If you lack light during the winter months, you can supplement that need with ”grow lights” or fluorescent lamps.Annual herbs will be happy spending their full life cycle inside the home while perennial herbs will give you better results if they are placed outdoors during the warm season. Fill the pot with soil all the way to the rim and place them in a protected area on the porch or patio.Always bring the plants inside before frost to avoid plant damage or loss of foliage. However a light frost is beneficial on mint, chives, and tarragon.This will result in a rest period making the new growth fresher and firmer.Home herb gardens can be kept productive all year long and for a good number of years by doing the following: maintain a periodic light feeding, renewing the annuals, moving the perennials in and out of the home and pruning the plants occasionally.

Tricks to Sowing Seeds in Your Home Herb Garden

Sowing herb seed outdoors sounds pretty straight forward, and it is. But there are a few that will allow you to get the most out of what you sow, and minimize the work.Most annuals and biennials are started from seed outdoors. And the seed can be purchased from your local nursery, or supermarket. Also, you shouldn’t worry about the quality of the seeds you’re buying.  Commercially-packaged seeds are reliable in that what’s on the label is what’s in the package.  Most herbs like dry sites, lots of sun, and a hot climate. In hot conditions the concentration of essential oils are greater, and the flavor is usually stronger. If your garden site tends to be moist with rich soil, the herbs will grow faster and have a milder flavor. They will also look healthier and flower less than their hot site counterparts, and will be easier to harvest. Loamy soil with some added organic matter is an ideal seed bed. Since those conditions are also ideal for vegetables, you can plant herbs in your vegetable garden where they will thrive as well as act as companion plants.  Dealing with small seeds can be difficult, but you can distribute them uniformly if you mix them with fine sand. You can also make furrows with your fingertip or a stick and carefully place the seeds in these. Soak slow germinating seeds in warm water for several hours or overnight, and if you don’t know whether your seeds are slow germinating or not, look at the seed packet for instructions. Once the seed is sown, take a little loose soil and cover lightly. Cover about 1/16 of an inch for smaller seeds, and