The short answer is: installing a basic landscape lighting system is easy and, if done correctly, poses little to no risk of damaging or disrupting your current landscape. If installation isn’t a project you wish to take on yourself, hiring a lighting installation service is a great option. Professionals will know exactly what they’re doing and how to properly install outdoor lighting — taking extra care to bury wiring correctly, which is the most important factor affecting how your lawn is cared for going forward. Investing in high quality landscape lights — such as those made by VOLT® — will also provide added peace of mind.
Proper Wire Burial Is the Foundation of a Clean Installation
The first step to outdoor lighting that preserves and protects your lawn is proper wire burial. In addition to burying wire deep enough — at least 6 inches — the goal is to route wire through areas that won’t cause damage or create problems down the road. It’s best to avoid placing wire in areas where it may be easily exposed, such as a shallow mulch bed, or in areas where it could interfere with edging your grass along garden borders, driveways, or walkways.
If wire must run through potentially hazardous areas, always use a protective conduit. Finding the most efficient path from your lights to the transformer will differ for every project, but with a bit of research and planning it’s still a straightforward task for DIYers.
If you hire a professional lighting service, they should be trained and familiar with running wire in ways that avoid damage and minimize future issues. Lighting professionals also understand exactly how deep to bury wiring and the most efficient way to route it from the lights to the transformer.
Using the Right Fixture in the Right Place Makes All the Difference
There’s a large variety of landscape lighting fixtures available, and different fixtures are designed for different applications. It’s important to use products as they were intended. In-ground lights like well lights, for example, are designed to sit flush with the ground. High-quality well lights are much less likely to be damaged by a lawn mower because they sit perfectly level with the turf — routine lawn maintenance simply passes right over them. These are typically used for tree lighting or columns in more commercial settings.
A popular landscape lighting option is path and area lights, which illuminate the ground and surrounding areas for safety and utility. Path lights generally have the smallest impact on lawn care because they’re usually positioned on the perimeter of a lawn or garden. Of course, it’s always best to stay aware of where they’re placed.
LED spotlights are another popular choice for landscape lighting and are usually placed near trees to highlight them from a distance. Homeowners should be mindful of these because they’re often positioned somewhat within the lawn or garden. Using a high-quality spotlight alongside careful placement will keep yard work efficient and prevent issues from coming up.
Smart Placement and Communicating With Your Lawn Care Team
Where you place your lights matters. They need to be visible enough during lawn maintenance to avoid being hit by a mower, while still being positioned tastefully so that light sources stay mostly hidden during the day. As a DIY homeowner, this balance may take some practice and adjustments to get right — whereas a professional service is trained to nail it from the start.
A pro tip worth remembering: if you use a lawn maintenance service, always inform them in detail about your new landscape lighting fixtures after installation — whether you installed them yourself or had a pro do it. Otherwise, they could run right over lights that weren’t there the last time they worked on your property.
Pro Tip
After installing your landscape lighting — DIY or professional — walk your lawn care team through the placement of every fixture before their next visit. A quick five-minute walkthrough can save a costly replacement down the road.
The Bottom Line
A well-planned landscape lighting installation doesn’t have to disrupt your lawn at all. With proper wire burial, quality fixtures used as intended, and thoughtful placement, your yard stays beautiful — during the day and after dark. Whether you take it on yourself or bring in a pro, the key is a little planning up front.
At VOLT® Lighting, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Browse our full lineup of professional-grade landscape lighting and reach out to our team of live lighting experts whenever you have questions.
In conclusion, landscape lighting will not negatively affect your lawn as long as you are smart about how your system is installed. Low voltage landscape lighting is simple and safe to install, so you can do it yourself with a little research and experience. Or, many trained professionals can do the installation properly.
