PV Gap

Priscilla Said:

What are the best garden lights to have? ?

We Answered:

It depends on what you want the landscaping lights to do. I have several different types out in the yard for different purposes. If you need to light an area for security reasons, solar is not the best option. They are dim, most of them cast a white light in about a 3 foot circle around the light that is only enough to light a path. For security, an electric dusk to dawn motion detecting light is best and will cast enough light to deter criminals. There are several manufacturers, Malibu being one, but they usually come in sets with only 2 such lights in the kit. If you are looking to light a pathway, solar lights work but need to be placed very close together to adequately and safely light the way. Electric lighting is best as accents, for porches and patios, entryways, driveways and for spying on the doggies in the backyard. Malibu does remain the industries best and be careful of the cheap ones coming out of China with names you've never heard of (mainly carried in the discounters). Even the electric ones are difficult to maintain. Often the lids and shields are hard to remove and once you do, finding the replacement light bulbs will drive you nuts. Some have plug ins others have push ins and they change the designs often so you cannot replace cracked lenses or shields. Then others have plugs to connect to the main line and others have push connects. The plugs are far better when you have to replace just one light. The push ones often get wet, short out the light and leave a breach in the line, so when you go to replace that light it shorts out quickly, too.