Not a fan of trenching either, especially in old yards where you never know what you’ll hit.
Totally get that—digging in my backyard felt like a game of “what pipe is this?” last summer. If you’re leaning solar but want a bit more oomph, I’ve layered string lights with solar spotlights for accent. Not as bright as hardwired, but it’s a vibe, and no chewed wires so far. Sometimes mixing types works better than picking just one.
digging in my backyard felt like a game of “what pipe is this?” last summer.
That’s the truth—old yards are like archaeological digs. I’ve hit everything from mystery cables to what turned out to be an old sprinkler line (that I didn’t even know existed). I get the hesitation with trenching, especially if you’re not sure what’s under there.
Mixing solar with string lights is a smart move. I’ve done something similar on a couple flips where running new wiring just wasn’t worth the headache. It’s not stadium-bright, but it does the job and honestly, sometimes that softer light looks better anyway. Have you noticed any issues with the solar spotlights fading over time? I’ve had a few that lost their punch after a season or two, but maybe that’s just the cheaper brands.
Curious if you’ve tried any of those battery-powered motion lights? I’ve used them in spots where solar just didn’t get enough sun, and they’re surprisingly decent for filling in dark corners. Not perfect, but less hassle than digging up half the yard.
You’re not alone with the “what pipe is this?” game—I swear every time I dig, I find something new and mysterious. I totally get wanting to avoid trenching if you can help it. Solar’s been hit or miss for me too; some of the cheaper lights faded out after one winter, but the pricier ones have held up better. I’ve tried those battery motion lights in shady spots, and while they’re not perfect, they’re way less hassle than running wires or digging. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, especially when you’re on a budget.
Ever tried those string lights you can just hang along the fence? I’ve seen some that are solar and others that plug in, but I wonder if they’d last any longer than the motion lights. I’m always debating if it’s worth spending more upfront for better quality, or just replacing the cheap ones every year or two. Anyone actually had luck with a specific brand sticking around through a few winters?
Had a set of solar string lights from Costco—looked great the first summer, but by the second winter half the strand was dead. Ended up switching to plug-in ones from Feit Electric. More upfront, but they’ve survived three winters so far. I’d say if you’re sick of replacing them, just bite the bullet and get a decent wired set. Solar’s hit or miss, especially in cloudy climates.