There are so many forms of outdoor and garden lighting available these days. How do we choose the right one for our garden

A.� First consider the size of the garden and the proximity of others. Too much lighting in a small garden can make the ambience about as relaxing as sitting in the middle of an airport runway, while your neighbours might take exception to Colditz-like search lights streaming through their bedroom window.

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Think what you want the lighting for; eating out and entertaining on balmy nights, highlighting a particularly tree, plant or garden feature, marking the boundaries of a path or as an intruder alert, and remember that areas of darkness are just as important as light to create atmosphere.

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A.� You don't want anything too bright if you are trying to create that sort of continental al fresco feel, and there are plenty of cheap ways to achieve it without having to invest in an entire lighting system. The flare-like garden candles are one cheap option if you have a nearby bit of earth or pot to stick them in and don't mind wax spitting all over the stone, wood or surrounding foliage.

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A.� That depends on what you are trying to highlight. As a general rule down lighting imitates natural moonlight and is particularly suitable for areas�such as paths, decks and patios and areas of foliage. Up lighting is particularly effective to bring out an architectural feature, be it the trunk of a tree, a garden statue or plants emerging from a stone wall.

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A.� It is imperative that the electricity supply for your outside lights is on its own circuit, which is protected by a circuit breaker. Make sure all cables are rubberised and where possible route them along a wall.

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Keep cables and lights out of the reach of children and if you do have to bury them dig a trench at least a spades depth to avoid accidentally cutting into them with garden tools. If you have any doubt in your own ability to install a lighting system safely get an electrician to do it.

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A.� Yes, there is a range of solar-powered lamps available. They tend to produce a fairly harsh white light that is good for marking paths or with the edge taken off it by being hidden among foliage. The sensors work from dusk to dawn and can store enough energy for six hours lighting.

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