Installing solar garden lights is similar to many home improvement projects in that the likelihood of a successful end result is related to how well the objectives are defined in the first place. So consider what it is you’re trying to achieve – courtesy lighting for yourself and visitors, security lighting to deter intruders, a place to entertain or simply bringing the garden to life at night?

You might of course choose any or all of the above plus a few other ideas of your own, which means you will also have to figure out how to balance various competing demands on your solar lighting layout. So you can see then that specifying your various objectives upfront makes it a whole lot easier to divide your outdoor spaces into discrete zones and identify suitable light fittings.

Solar deck lights for example won’t deter many intruders (though these highly versatile little devices will function very well in many situations such as path or drive markers). Equally you probably don’t want bright floodlights on your entertaining areas, and while low level coloured lights look lovely as decorative features in the garden they won’t help your guests see what they’re eating or drinking.

Spring has arrived, the weather is great and your friends are starting to wonder when you plan to invite them over for your first cookout. Maybe you’re like me and it’s those gatherings with the people who really matter in your life that makes spring and summer complete. You aim for perfection, but you know there’s always some nagging little hurdle to overcome.

With the recognition of inevitable roadblocks, my approach is to do what I can to prepare just before my events. I double check my propane supplies and test-fire the grill. I also go through my food check list to ensure there will be no shortage of snacks, drinks and entrees (be they hotdogs, hamburgers or sword fish steaks). Last but not least, I make sure my tiki torches actually light.

Some of you are thinking that last item is a little over the top but, to my way of thinking, ambiance and mood are essential elements in my entertainment repertoire and I’ve been burned (pardon the pun) in this regard before due to garden torch oil that lost its volatility.

Seven Steps to a Better Garden This Year

Would you like to have a better garden than you had last year, with less effort on your part? The answer, of course, is an emphatic “yes,” so here are a few suggestions.

Basically the formula is simple, namely, to do now everything you possibly can to save yourself later on – steps, time, worry and lost opportunities.

Even simple formulas dont work unless you do something about them. lets get this one started right by working out a step-by-step plan and then following it through.

Order early

In all probability you will want some new flowers, shrubs, and trees, and probably grass seed, with which to improve your garden at planting time. Send right now for a number of catalogs or visit their websites covering the items in which you are especially interested – not only plant materials but insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers and garden tools.

Consider power equipment, if possible, as it is a great time and labor saver. A few minutes invested will bring you a wealth of information about all of these things. By being an early bird you will find out about a new flower, shrub or garden implement before you see it in a neighbors garden or hear about it at your garden club.

If you want to have a beautiful garden, you should consider all of the design elements. Dont just look at shrubs, flowers, and trees. Consider garden structures like trellises and gazebos, and of course landscape lighting. Outdoor lighting, including garden path lighting, has become very popular with gardeners. It enhances the natural beauty of your garden, allowing you to enjoy your hard work long after dusk. Plus, garden path lighting is a useful safety feature for your yard.

Many people choose solar garden lights to use as garden path lighting. While electrical lighting can also be used, it required digging into your yard, making it a much more permanent addition to the landscape. To use solar lighting, just place a AA battery into your landscape lights. Natural sunlight will keep the lights charged, and they will automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn. OF course, make sure they are placed where they will receive some sunlight during the day.