6 Ways to Solar-up Your Garden

Gardens can come to life with light and sound using solar garden decor. Advances in miniature solar panels have paved the way for solar fountains, garden decor, outdoor lighting, and a host of other options that compliment a yard both day and night. Following are 6 ways to solar-up your garden:

1. The solar garden lantern, though a staple of outdoor lighting, remains a top pick among solar products. The consumer now has a wide array of choices for styles and materials, not to mention pricing. Another common option is the use of a single solar panel for multiple lights, which allows for placement in areas once considered too shady for a lantern.

2. Outdoor string lights have long been a favorite for holidays and parties. Solar-powered string lights allow for constant use without a switch or a plug. Some strings are designed to accommodate pre-made or original Chinese lanterns; others take the form of a rope light.

3. For landscape lighting of plants, trees and traditional garden decorations, directional solar lights can provide a convenient solution. Freedom from an outlet allows placement of a landscape light anywhere the sun can reach, with potential for lighting on all corners of a property.

4. Solar fountains bring the welcome sound of running water into the yard, minus the worries about wasting electricity. Placing a fountain near a bedroom window creates a peaceful background for sleep, and there is no need to turn the power off. Many times these garden decorations also double as bird baths.

5. Solar technology has allowed artisans to give new life to their outdoor figures. A garden fairy once hidden by darkness now has her face brought to light by the glowing orb in her hands. Another flash of light turns out to be a small lantern carried by a gnome. These touches give the night garden a life of its own.

6. For the backyard connoisseur who must have it all, a solar patio umbrella provides both an attractive and practical solution. During the day solar cells gather energy as the umbrella provides shade; during the night LED lights on the underside of the umbrella provide light for meals and socializing. The system can be turned off at any time and the solar cells will continue to gather energy.

Adding motion, sound and lighting to the yard without the guilt of wasting energy provides a special satisfaction. In addition to bringing enjoyment, solar garden decor can also be surprisingly easy to set up and economical to purchase.