A beautifully landscaped property is a sight to behold, but to really polish the gem you want to ensure the lighting and irrigation are fully incorporated into the design.
Gardens with vibrant annuals and perennials, walkways and accents, and outdoor features like pools and hot tubs can all be greatly accented by quality lighting. And a superb irrigation system ensures that all that plant material looks its best throughout the growing season.
To maximize the effectiveness of your lighting and irrigation, it’s best to plan them well in advance and incorporate them into your hardscape and softscape installations, says Collin Dunnett of Stonescaping Muskoka.
He says that having great lighting on your property is a matter of balance. It’s not simply about being able to find your way at night, although that’s certainly an important consideration.
“Lighting should accent your pathways and draw attention to your beautiful gardens, without overwhelming the naturally occurring luminescence provided by the moon and the stars,” he says. “Well-planned lighting will make the landscape look as magnificent by night as it is by day – perhaps even better – without ruining the night sky.”
Meanwhile, a good irrigation system is essential to keep your gardens and lawns beautiful throughout the warmer months. The sprinkler heads and the plumbing should be nearly undetectable when not in use, and be placed in the right areas to maximize their effectiveness.
Having the lights and irrigation on timers will help save energy costs, reduce water consumption and ensure they’re being used at the right time of day. It also means you don’t have to worry about it when you’re not around.
“Timers can be adjusted through the year to coincide with different seasons and the changing daylight hours,” explains Collin. “Watering is often best done in the mornings, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., while you want to make sure your lights turn on at dusk.”
As a full-service landscaping company, Stonescaping Muskoka will not only design and install your softscape, hardscape, lighting and irrigation, they’ll be back to maintain your property as well.
