The simplest and most cost effective way to add lighting to your path is to use solar pathway lights. They are cordless, inexpensive, and easy to install. You can purchase them at the local home improvement store and install them in less than a day. Most are staked so installation is simply a matter of sticking them in the ground next to your pathway.

Once installed solar lights require very little maintenance. You will need to wipe the solar panels off occasionally if dust builds up on them. Battery replacement is every two or three years. Because the sun supplies the energy required to charge the batteries there is no monthly costs associated with operating them.

Traditional electric hard-wired garden path lighting is another choice. This is the most expensive option due to requiring electricity which needs to be installed by a professional. If using electrical lighting you can have them set on a timer to keep from having them on during the daytime.

LED lights are brighter than any of the other lights available. They can run from a battery source or be connected to an electrical power source. The lights give off a bluish tint and make an attractive addition to the lawn and garden area.

Moonstones are another option for garden path lighting. Moonstones are LED lights that are encased in a frosted cover giving the appearance of a moon stone. These can be used as path way lights or they can be purchased that are durable enough to withstand foot traffic. These create the path and light it up at the same time. Not only are they a safety feature, they are quite attractive as well.

Rope lights create a dramatic effect when used as garden path lighting. You can outline the shape of the pathway stones or the actual path itself. Rope lighting produces a low light that is ground level. This lighting is softer and less harsh than other lights.

After deciding on a lighting source for your garden path lights you need to decide on placement. Post type lights can be place at each path marker or every other marker, depending on how much light they emit and how the dark the area is you are lighting.

If you are using post lights that are eye level or higher, you may want to space them further apart. Perhaps one at the beginning, one midway and one at the end of the path, again, base this decision on how much light the pole lights supply to the path.

Garden path lighting should be a consideration when designing your landscape plan. Not only is it a decorative enhancement, it provides safety for you and your guests.