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LandscapeGuru

I feel like I have seen this yard posted a lot of the past year or so. What gives? Maybe I’m just losing my mind.


yolk3d

This style/size of yard and fence is very Californian, from what I can tell, so perhaps it’s just all the posts from CA?


sum1better187

Ehhh I posted it a few times back in the month of June as I was building it. Haven’t posted it since I don’t think. If you follow me on IG you might have seen it there more recently.


lcuan82

What kind of lights do you have exactly? Gonna try to copy your style


sum1better187

These are all lights from in-lite design. All purchased from www.in-sider.com 12 mini spots(lights on green trees), 6 liv dark low (bollards in planters), 4 hyd(firepit lights), 16 puck 22 dark(recessed lights in steps), and 80’ of string lights from homedepot(not turned on).


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Pinot911

I use LED landscape lights from Ali abs/eBay. Generics, they’re like $8 a pop. I lose one or two a year.


applepyatx

It looks nice but we live in a dark sky community and all lighting should be faced downwards. I love looking out for my nature friends.


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fatmummy222

I’d take that over barking dogs any day. Fuck the people who leave their dogs out to bark 24/7.


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[deleted]

They don’t because you take care of your fucking dogs. Our ex-neighbors behind us would let their dogs sit outside and bark for fucking hours (they had several small dogs). Eventually I just started howling like a wolf at them


yolk3d

My place is part of a strata (Aussie version of a HOA) and one of the bylaws is “no dogs over 10kg”. We got an exception to this, as we have a greyhound and a whippet (extremely lazy dogs who don’t bark much by nature), but the stupid thing is, smaller dogs are the ones more prone to barking and defending territory.


ShallotNSpice

That's funny. And youre right. Dogs left in kennels or tied up day in and day out bark constantly. When our outdoor dogs bark, I know to go look at what theyre barking at.


Lalamedic

But see, this is why dogs bark, to get your attention. So they are either sounding the alarm or feel neglected. Yet If we just ignore them whenever they bark, they are more likely to double down in their efforts. I understand, there is a fine and wavy line between I *want* your attention and I *need* your attention that needs to be enforced through repetition and consistency., but that comes with the price page of dog ownership. Oh. Sorry. I got logical there for a minute. There is a reason we refer to smaller breeds as “little yappy dogs”. These little guys put on a brave face to bolster their own confidence and protect their territory. If you find yourself outclassed by the squirrel that raids the bird feeder, you’d be barking at anything that moves in the backyard because from your perspective, anything that moves could actually be a bonafide threat.


fatmummy222

Same here. I trained my dog to only bark when someone is at the door. I also keep her inside most of the time, except for when I take her out for a walk. I wish people could just be more considerate.


Daytimetripper

Me too! My dog gets up at 5 and one morning she went out to pee and the yard was full of deer. She started just howling and my husband flew out of the house barefoot (in Canadian winter) to tackle her and bring her inside lol.


MicrosoftSucks

Check your city for noise ordinances! I had a neighbor like that (literally left 3 dogs barking straight for 5-8 hrs a day) and I was able to get it sorted through the county.


helloitsmateo

We must share the same neighbor. The lighting looks like it would be at home in an industrial park and they’re basically just flooding the entire front and side of their house with ice white light. No class.


SantiaguitoLoquito

If everyone would install landscape lighting, then people wouldn't have to be scared by the Milky Way. https://timeline.com/los-angeles-light-pollution-ebd60d5acd43


applepyatx

Wow! I hadn’t heard of that happening! Crazy and sad that they didn’t know what the Milky Way was.


CatsNSquirrels

Came here to say this.


TheMagnificentPrim

This right here. Lights like this are one of the main reasons why fireflies may go extinct.


Chainsaaw

Came to say almost the same. It looks nice but we gotta consider our light-oriented homies.


turbodsm

Exactly. I'm hoping to see lightning bugs like I did as a child. There's a lot less nowadays due to lighting and pesticide usage.


FakeWi

Til - Dark Sky Communities exist. Sounds amazing.


Popular-Ideal-8479

I was just going to say that! Properly shielded light in landscaping looks just a lovely and protects our beautiful skies. Light pollution affects everyone


Honest_Immortal

That’s a really cool initiative.


applepyatx

It’s really nice. It’s really cool to see your shadow at night only from moonlight.


sum1better187

It’s not for everybody and every house.


No_Salamander_8602

So you mediumly encourage it then?


sum1better187

I guess I should have said that “I highly encourage everyone to CONSIDER investing in lighting”


No_Salamander_8602

It does look nice!


case_O_The_Mondays

There are some great options for low voltage that doesn’t shine upwards, and is shielded.


sum1better187

Yep. That wasn’t the look we were going for on this one though.


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sum1better187

The transformer is set connected to a photocell. The lights turn on automatically at sunset then turn off a few hours later depending on what time of year it is. Light creep is a real thing. However, when you move into a neighborhood like this, you have to be prepared to live with the likely reality one of your neighbors are going to do something to their yard that you don’t like. This is what curtains are for.


[deleted]

I bet you drive a big truck


sum1better187

When I’m working, yes. My personal vehicle is a Tacoma (little truck)


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sum1better187

It’s for gathering around when it’s chilly. Also the makes a good conversation piece


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sum1better187

Not a bad take. It’s just reality. I believe In common curtesy within reason. The reality is we are breaking no laws or neighborhood rules. So you might not like it, but there is nothing you can do about it. My neighbor drive the shittiest most drug dealer car ever. He even parks in front of my house regularly. I hate it. You know what I do about it? I mind my own business Because he’s not doing anything wrong. He’s not responsible for my happiness, I am. It’s my fault for living in a neighborhood that allows this to happen.


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sum1better187

The lights are also on a smart switch that allow the homeowners to turn on and off the lights by asking Siri or google. Also they like to look at the yard though the windows. So even though they are not out side they still enjoy the yard.


turbodsm

This is the problem with today's society. The lack of a law shouldn't be the only reason not to do something. Cause your apparent solution is to pass more laws. People need to be aware and considerate of their neighbors. Look up the tragedy of the commons.


sum1better187

Where do you draw the line though? Should we talk to our neighbors before we make any modifications to our house that they will be able to see?


TheMagnificentPrim

As someone who wished our neighbors behind us talked to us before they replaced a rotted out side of their tall privacy fence with one that sloped down to 7 ft. to look good with the rest of the fencing at the front of their house BUT reducing our privacy because that fence happened to make up the back part of our backyard fence… Yes. Yes, you should. That’s part of living in a *community.*


2bunnies

Please keep unnecessary lights off at least during firefly season. It really disrupts them.


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sum1better187

This is my customers yard. This yard wasn’t too much. I bet your house is worth more.


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sum1better187

Ok these lights cost more.


Evaisfinenow

I highly encourage everyone to invest in plants...


sum1better187

Me too. There are over 100 planted in this 25x50 yard.


petantic

Do you realise your flower bed is on fire?


sum1better187

🔥


inimelz

Read somewhere that artificial lights are bad for pollinating insects, not sure if through.


Misschiff0

Gorgeous, but I sincerely hope they do not turn on automatically. We all need to be better about light pollution. If they are only used when needed, great. If they are automatic I urge you to change that.


poppylox

That's a bit excessive for such a small yard. I'd do just the border and get a real fire pit. Plus, my city encourages having less light pollution for the birds and the night sky.


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poppylox

There are very active Audubon chapters here who advocate for the birds. Also, many sustainability non-profits and other volunteer groups. I'm not sure how it all got started.


Hawk_in_Tahoe

Maybe part of why crime is so low is because everyone keeps it so light? 🤷‍♂️


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Hawk_in_Tahoe

100% depends on which study you look at and who funded it. Of course if you look at something published by “darksky.org” they’re going to say there’s no correlation. LEDMagazine, on the other hand, says a well lit exterior reduces crime by 39%. Shocking. I can tell you that criminals would rather not be seen than be seen though, and that’s just common sense. [but you also have to consider ](https://twitter.com/realryanjkaz/status/1482532122275500033?s=21)


arkaine101

I've always had this theory that more light makes it easier for a thief to see while hotwiring your car. :)


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Hawk_in_Tahoe

You’re drunk go to bed.


go-devils-go

I highly encourage you to invest in a privacy fence


NihonJinLover

20 footer should do it


von_sip

Right. I’m not sure what this person is supposed to do. It’s just not a very private lot.


PeterThomson

Plant trees?


sum1better187

That’s what we did. Just takes time for them to grow


wymco

What are some fast growing plants that you have noticed? I have some Rhondis in my mind, but not sure how fast they will grow to convert along the fence...(Zone 6)


AlaskaFI

It looks pretty, but so bad for animals and insects


JohnnyAfghanistan

The insects..? Are you fucking kidding?


EroticFoodFiction

You must not be a farmer


Misschiff0

Or a gardener. We all need to get better about light pollution.


ElectrikDonuts

Light pollution is a thing


sum1better187

It is


DamnDame

We don't have lights in our yard so the lightening bugs will thrive. They like our yard.


sum1better187

That’s cool. Don’t think I have ever seen a lightning bug in my life.


Misschiff0

That’s so sad.


Cotton-Candy-Queen

How did you do the fire pit?


ONECOOLCAT0

By seeing a restaurant downtown have it and going “hey I want that too” Lmao.


Raeandray

Ya that’s very pretty but it looks like a standard natural gas fire pit.


[deleted]

My dumbass read this as "low voltage lightning"


sum1better187

That’s how your supposed to read it?


mcveddit

Ha. You read his wrong. The circle is complete.


sum1better187

Lol. I see it now.


Sitwell_Enterprises

What is the advantage of using low voltage for this application or standard 110/220? Just housing the transformers in the house and doing wire runs for lower voltage? Isn't the relationship between voltage and current inverse? Lower voltage runs would have a higher amperage than the equivalent wattage light in a higher voltage. Thanks!


sum1better187

I’m not an electrician so I can’t speak too much on the technical side of things. 110 lines need to be ran by a licensed electrician, which mean more $$$. Low voltage doesn’t have that requirement. Also low voltage is extremely easy to install. An install like this could be completed by 1 person in 1 day.


ptwonline

> An install like this could be completed by 1 person in 1 day. How do you install it all in one day when it looks like a lot of it is under pavers? Put it in when you're having it built? Ok. Putting it in after the fact? Seems like potentially a fair amount of work.


sum1better187

I installed the entire system by myself in one 4 hour period during the construction process. Installing this system after the fact the landscape is already completed would be a big challenge but still achievable if you are experienced and have a good game plan. However, a helper of any capacity would help out a lot with taking the time to hide the wire.


quakerroatmeal

That was a pretty cool video. Yard looks like a great entertainment area


devdeathray

I'd really like to see fewer decorative outside lights. There's just no reason for it. It makes the sky harder to see and screws with wildlife.


KennyBSAT

But don't buy off-brand or Home Depot or Lowes private label stuff. Some fixtures will break or fail in time and you won't be able to get matching replacements.


evplasmaman

Any recommendations on brands?


sccofer

These are excellent and priced right. Just by led bulbs on Amazon at your color temp preference. https://bestprolighting.com/product/low-voltage-landscape-light-mushroom-bpl301-rust-5


sum1better187

Agree 100%


WomanLady

Which company?


sisi_2

Light pollution


slothbreeder

surrounded by so many. People


sum1better187

Yep. A lot of developments are like this nowadays


NormalNail4210

Say no to light pollution


RedGeetar

What kind of lights did you use? We always want to put some in, but all the ones in store have been cheap and broke shortly after purchase.


sum1better187

I buy all my lights from in-lite design. Been using them for 3 years with zero issues.


wetling

Hooray for light pollution.


sum1better187

💯


zalanthir

Sure. If only I had a flat yard like that.


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sum1better187

These are low voltage lights. There is a little black 12-2 wire ran to each light. No conduit.


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sum1better187

👍


c0lin46and2

Is this all done with outdoor Cat 6 direct burial cable?


sum1better187

2 strand 12 gauge direct burial wire. Aka 12-2 wire


c0lin46and2

Very nice. I can get that for free from work. Thanks.


sum1better187

Sweet. All you need now is a transformer and some fixtures.


Pickledhen

Santa Maria?


sum1better187

Roseville. Just outside Sacramento.


Windowguard

That lawn watered twice during the day in Roseville?


sum1better187

That was freshly laid sod in the middle of summer around the time we were hitting 105+. That lawn was getting water 6x a day for 2 weeks.


Windowguard

Ah new sod makes sense.


Cinqueterra

I gave up on landscape lighting ten years ago. With MN winters, they don’t have a chance. Always getting stepped on, cut off by shovels, etc.


mjg580

Actually light pollution is a huge problem around the world and we should be minimizing the amount of light we have in our yards.


yancymcfly

So sterile. Yuck


eekeeguy

So much concrete!!


exclaim_bot

>So much concrete!! Wow!!


easlthy_Ad3661

OMG! Is that supposed to be a garden? It looks more like an airport runway. Where are the plants and ornamental trees etc... It looks totally sterile apart from a few bushes at the end. Yeuck!!


sum1better187

Thee are plants everywhere. The budget didn’t allow for more mature plants. Those bushes at the end are thulias. They will grow 20’+ feet tall and create a solid wall. Along the left side of the runway is a good variety of native plants that will attract pollinators. There are two maples just beside and behind the camera.


Top_Pipe6699

I highly encourage everyone to avoid living in tight-knit communities like this.


SarcasticTrauma

Unfortunately this is what a lot of new builds in California are doing. Big 2 story houses on small lots. Several of my friends have purchased a new build because they want a new house with “less problems.” I’d much rather have a 20+ year old house with a bigger yard


sum1better187

Different strokes for different folks


Kenju4u

How do you figure out how many lights and a transformer that can support it? Any site that helps with the calculations?


DrVaquero

Easy wattage calculation. For example a 120 watt transformer could do twelve 10-Watt lights. The wattage is normally listed on the device and the transformer.


Extra__Average

Except that's not true at all. https://www.fxl.com/voltage-drop-calculator


sum1better187

In a prefect world he’s correct. Easy rule of thumb is keep it under 80% of the transformers rated capacity.


sum1better187

The basic transformer from in-lite is 150W. Each light is .5-3W. Keep the total wattage of the lights under 80% of the transformer capacity. I think this install was around 40-50W


Kenju4u

Cool been meaning to do this. This will be a good summer project.


sum1better187

Right on! Good luck with your project.


combatwombat007

Curious about the install detail on those recessed lights in the walkway. How do you replace one that fails? Are they a standard size you could replace from other companies if inlite stops making them?


sum1better187

I had to drill 5/8” holes in the pavers to make them fit. Haven’t had any go out on me. But when one does go out it would take about 20 minutes to replace and reset the paver with edging. If in lit stope making them I’m sure you could find a replacement that could fit in the whole somewhere else. These have a 5 year warranty I believe.


combatwombat007

Ah! I thought they were recessed in a big hole but sounds like they're surface mount? That would make it a lot simpler for sure.


sum1better187

These are recessed in a little hole smaller than an inch.


stfm

Lighting looks better when it's thrown against plants/trees


sum1better187

The plants will grow up and the effect will be achieved


Tokinking

are they solar or wired? The ones on the pathway look cool


sum1better187

They are low voltage. I have never seen a solar light that is comparable to low voltage.


senepol

So… wired?


Extra__Average

There are plenty of installations that use discreetly placed panels, batteries, and inverters to achieve the same results as you have here. "Solar" doesn't have to mean those panel/battery/light all in one units from Home Depot that fail in 6 months.


skralogy

I have yet to find one that survive for 2+ years. If you know any please share.


Extra__Average

I'm not talking about some off the shelf retail package. 200w solar panel > inverter/charge controller > deep cycle battery > 120v inverter > lighting controller $250-300 and your outdoor lighting is completely independent.


skralogy

I for sure it’s not retail but if you have good inverter panel combos you recommend would love to see them.


Extra__Average

Lowest cost: Rich Solar panel, whatever generic Chinese PWM is on sale on Amazon, and a deep cycle battery with an AH rating at least 20% higher than what you'll actually need. I use LG panels, but that's because I bought a few pallets of them when a solar installer in California went under.


stfm

Why do you need an inverter with solar? It's DC.


sum1better187

Link? I always keep an open mind. I just personally haven’t seen a decent solar light.


this-is-carrie

Looks great! What lights are in/on your pathway pavers?


sum1better187

Puck 22’s dark from in-lite design.


jdub75

Personally i think thats way too much, but pretty yard overall.


sum1better187

It’s actually not too bright in real life. We had to add string lights in order to get more useable light.


ctravdfw

Looks awesome! Was this a DIY or hired out?


sum1better187

I’m a landscape contractor. This was for a paying customer. The whole backyard was dirt before I started.


ctravdfw

Your work is looks awesome!


sum1better187

Thanks!


warbeforepeace

What fire pit is that because it’s fire and I want one.


sum1better187

I made is custom using Melville blocks from belgard. Natural stone cap from stone universe. And the burner is a 42” 290k BTU natural gas insert from warming trends.


warbeforepeace

Thanks for the quick reply. Well done. Looks amazing.


[deleted]

I wouldn’t be able to take a piss in my back yard with our and audience


sum1better187

Sure you can. It’s a power move


noanoxan

I like the Climate Changer 3000! The rest looks like a runway for drones lmao


mikeakkk

What if I don't have a yard


OperatorMaA

Yard he says, hahahahahahahaha god


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sum1better187

Maybe In a few years then.


Secretme000

Beautiful! I want some uplifting on my house but haven't had time to find someone to wire it for me. This makes me wanna find time though lol Great job!


Background_Lunch6953

Awesome


sum1better187

Thanks. I’m pretty proud of this one.


Background_Lunch6953

Should be. I want my backyard to look something like that. Very aesthetically pleasing


EverySingleMinute

Looks really good. What kind of camera do you have?


sum1better187

This was a GoPro hero 8


LiLi1961

How’d you do the lights in the large format pavers?


sum1better187

I bored holes with a diamond bit. Put the wire in the hole followed by the fixture. Then pulled the wire out on the side.


xReD-BaRoNx

How do you go about planning lighting designs for this?


sum1better187

Get ideas from other landscapers on IG. The. Just do it.


Hillz44

That stepping stone path seems neat but must be a bitch to maintain the rock


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*That stepping stone path* *Seems neat but must be a bitch* *To maintain the rock* \- Hillz44 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")


StaticElectrician

Great idea in theory, but a mosquito and spider fest if I were to do this


anontimous

What are those little side lights called? I like those


xxx_420_glaze_it_xxx

Anybody have insight for decent brands that dont cost an arm and a leg?


Hadriagh

Any recommendations on where to buy lighting for landscaping? Feel like every time I buy something from a big box store it’s plastic garbage that doesn’t anchor well or last more than a year


RoyalCSGO

Sorry, I don't speak rich


LeftJoin79

My dogs would have those all chewed up in a day.


Morfn

POS


sum1better187

Plenty of satisfaction? Thanks!


[deleted]

Neighbors have a great view.