Autumn is one of the best times to give your outdoor lighting a little attention. As the evenings draw in, your garden lights are switched on earlier and used for longer, while falling leaves, heavier rain and changing temperatures can all affect how your lighting looks and performs.
A few simple checks now can help keep your garden looking welcoming throughout autumn and make sure your lighting is ready for the colder winter months ahead.
1. Clear Away Fallen Leaves
Fallen leaves can quickly collect around spike lights, recessed ground lights, bollards and low-level path lighting.
As well as covering the light itself, wet leaves can trap moisture and make it more difficult to spot any problems with the fitting.
Regularly clear leaves and other debris from around your lights, particularly those positioned in flower beds, borders and close to trees or shrubs.
2. Give Your Lights a Clean
After being outdoors throughout spring and summer, garden lights can collect dirt, dust, insects and mud.
Cleaning the lenses and covers can make a surprising difference to the amount of light they produce.
Give accessible fittings a gentle clean and look out for cracked glass, loose covers, corrosion or other signs of damage while you're doing it.
Always make sure the power is safely switched off before carrying out any maintenance where necessary.
3. Walk Around Your Garden After Dark
The easiest way to see whether your outdoor lighting is still doing its job is to wait until it gets dark.
Take a walk around your garden and look for any areas that seem unusually dark or lights that are no longer working.
Check areas such as:
- Garden paths
- Steps
- Patios and decking
- Driveways
- Front entrances
- Side passages
- Seating areas
You may find that a small adjustment to an existing light makes a big difference.
4. Reposition Spike Lights
Plants can grow considerably over spring and summer, and garden lighting that was perfectly positioned a few months ago may now be hidden behind shrubs or pointing in the wrong direction.
Check your spike lights and adjust them where necessary.
Make sure they are firmly positioned in the ground and still highlighting the trees, plants, walls or garden features you originally intended them to.
Autumn can also create some fantastic lighting effects as leaves begin to change colour.
5. Adjust Your Timers
It gets dark much earlier during autumn, so the timer settings you used during summer may no longer be suitable.
Adjust your outdoor lighting so it comes on earlier in the evening.
If you use photocells, PIR sensors or smart controls, check that they are still operating correctly and haven't become covered by dirt or overgrown plants.
Automatic controls are a simple way to make sure your garden is illuminated when you need it without leaving lights switched on unnecessarily.
6. Check Cables and Connections
Take a look at any visible outdoor cables and connections around the garden.
Gardening, mowing, digging and general garden maintenance can occasionally disturb cables or connectors.
Look for anything that appears loose, exposed or damaged. If you spot a problem with your electrical installation, it is best to have it checked by a suitably qualified electrician rather than attempting electrical repairs yourself.
7. Check Ground Lights After Heavy Rain
Autumn often brings heavier and more frequent rainfall.
After a particularly wet day, check recessed ground lights and other low-level fittings to make sure water isn't collecting around them.
Remove leaves, soil and debris that could be preventing water from draining away properly.
Good drainage around ground fittings is particularly important as you move into the wetter months.
8. Replace Failed Bulbs
With evenings becoming darker earlier, a failed garden light becomes much more noticeable.
Now is a good time to replace any failed bulbs rather than waiting until the middle of winter.
If you still have older lamps installed, you may also want to consider switching to suitable LED alternatives. LEDs are energy efficient, long lasting and ideal for outdoor lighting that may be operating for several hours each evening.
9. Check Paths, Steps and Entrances
Outdoor lighting isn't just about creating attractive effects around the garden.
It can also make paths, steps and entrances easier to see when arriving home after dark.
Check that important areas around your home are clearly illuminated, particularly your front path, driveway, steps and entrances.
You may simply need to reposition an existing fitting rather than install additional lighting.
10. Fix Small Problems Before Winter
If you've noticed loose fittings, damaged lenses, failed lamps or drainage problems, autumn is the ideal time to deal with them.
Carrying out a little maintenance now is much easier than waiting until temperatures drop and winter weather arrives.
It also means your garden lighting will be ready to enjoy throughout the darkest months of the year.
Get Your Garden Ready for Autumn
Outdoor lighting really comes into its own during autumn. With daylight disappearing earlier, a well-lit garden can make your home feel more welcoming while allowing you to continue enjoying your outdoor space after sunset.
By clearing leaves, cleaning fittings, checking timers and making a few small adjustments, you can keep your garden lighting looking its best throughout autumn and into winter.
At Lighting for Gardens, you'll find a wide range of outdoor lighting including garden spike lights, wall lights, path lights, recessed ground lights and lighting accessories to help you make the most of your garden throughout the year.