When someone mentions landscaping, you probably think of lawns, shrubs and trees. But you can landscape with lighting too, using low-voltage lights to highlight portions of your yard or home at night. In addition to adding curb appeal, the lights increase your safety and security.
Position your lights to highlight adult plants, not young ones. That way you won't have to move the lights as often.
Low-voltage lights are easy to assemble and usually require no tools. Simply push the wires into the socket assembly, and insert the bulb (figure A). Twist on the lens (figure B), and snap on the tier (figure C) and cap (figure D). Slide the wires through the riser, and push the riser into the light assembly. Then slide the riser onto the stake (figure E).
No wire stripping is necessary to connect the lights to the cable. Instead, a clamp attached to the light is placed over the power cable (figure F); when the clamp is tightened, it pierces the insulation and taps directly into the wire underneath.
If you've spent much time landscaping your yard, you'll want to showcase some of its best features. It may help to use a diagram of the area. Be conservative: it's easy to overdo outdoor lighting and is usually better to have too little light than too much.
For hedges try tier lights with the tops removed. This will direct the light straight up and down. For the main walkway, use edge lights, and alternate lights from side to side to avoid the "runway" look. If hedges border the walkway, place tier lights at the entrance to help visitors see the edge of the walk.
In high-maintenance areas, be sure to select the proper lighting: lawnmowers, power trimmers and other equipment can destroy your lights.
Position the lights, and lay the power cable. Connect the lights to the cable by clamping them securely. Strip the cable on the end nearest the transformer, and connect the wires to the terminals. Mount the transformer near an outdoor outlet, plug it in, and turn on the lights to check your connections. When you're sure the connections are secure, cover the cable with mulch, or bury it in a shallow trench.
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