You can create the most amazing evening showcase by easily installing outdoor lighting which allows you to enjoy your garden even after dark.

Garden lighting lets you create a special atmosphere not found in the day-time garden. You may choose to light the garden path for an evening stroll, to spotlight an interesting branch pattern, throw a pool of light into a flower bed, or create stepping stones' of light along a walkway.

The right lights will increase safety and security, allow night-time use of your garden areas, and add both a dramatic and soothing look to the landscape.

The effect you create depends on the lights used and their placement. Low accent lights softly illuminate walkways, verandas, decks, steps, and edges of plantings. Floodlights, positioned low and aimed high, create dramatic up-lighting that highlights foliage and sculpts tree shapes, throwing interesting shadows on fences and walls.

Positioned high in trees or on structures, floodlights provide down-light', defining foliage and branch patterns.

Combinations of accent and floodlights increase safety and security along driveways, walkways and doorways and work well around verandas and barbecues.

For an inexpensive, easy addition to your outdoor lighting systems, try kerosene or candle torches and lanterns. These unique fixtures will provide an attractive glow.

Low-voltage lighting systems are simple and safe to install. Kits are available at nurseries and hardware stores with everything you need, including cables, a plug-in transformer for low-voltage operation, and various combinations of accent lights and floodlights.

The transformer reduces electrical current to a safe, low-voltage level. Total wattage from the lights should be less than or equal to the output of the transformer. Some have a photocell which turns the lights on automatically; others have timers allowing you a variety of on-off options.

Solar-powered lights, also available at nurseries and hardware stores, are quick to install. Lights simply stake into the ground; no cabling is required.

Decide where lights will produce the most dramatic effect. Choose sites where the lights will be camouflaged so the result, not the source of the light is the focus.

Kits have complete instructions, and you can install fixtures without special tools, exposed wiring, or splicing. Because the lights connect anywhere along the cable, it is easy to reposition them for just the right effect.

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