great - even if you don't have a garden (Solar Powered Lights)

Member Name: freud

Product:	Solar Powered Lights
Date:	10/04/09 (194 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: free to run, great for patios, windowboxes or balconies as well as gardens

Disadvantages: some dogs like to eat them

I'm sitting indoors writing this & looking outside at the miserable weather wishing I could type this review outside in our lovely garden - such is our good old British weather eh?

I'm not really a gardener but there's only really me who does any in our family & I must admit that I'm enjoying looking after it more & mre.

Due to the credit crunch I've had a lo less money to spend on it though so have looked for cheaper alternatives for adding to the garden -eg separating existing plants & bulbs, swapping with neighbours & buying seeds off ebay etc.

Shopping TV has helped me get some ideas - eg QVC & Ideal World have some cracking programmes but I don't buy from them now - just pinch their ideas & look for cheaper elsewhere.

I managed to 'win' two sets of 10 solar lights from Price Drop TV when no one else seemed particularly interested in February & I paid under a tenner for each set which I thought was an excellent price for stainless steel ones.

When we first introduced solar lights in the garden they were more expensive than they are today yet seem to last longer.

Unfortunately our Pomeranian likes to eat plastic lights so we've switched ('scuse the pun) to stainless steel as he can't get his teeth into these - ha!

They came neatly presented in boxes & assembling the 20 only took me half an hour (anyone else could do it in 10 minutes) - clear directions were provided & it's just a matter of slotting together, removing the plastic which covers the solar panels & switching on the 'on' switch - easy peasy.

They took about 2 days to charge as it was February & initially the subtle white lights were quite dim but as the weather has improved they'e become stronger & look really effective & stylish.

I've thought carefully where to pop them as we have some exotic plants which are terrific & the lights give them an almost Mediteranean look, others are grouped together amongst some not very attractive bedding plants which adds a bit of interest to a boring part of the garden whilst others have been put in big planters & pots.

You can buy loads of types of solar lights now & my eldest daughter bought us some plastic white starry lights on a string which grace one of our trees & adds a contemporary look to the area.

I'm not struck by the gnome ones I've seen around - these look a bit spooky to me - I prefer the plain & simple.

They can be purchased from garden centres (usually more expensive), petrol stations, catalogues, supermarkets, markets, discount stores & even the pound shops.

I bought some colour-changing ones but unfortunately these don't work very well but there are plenty of single coloured ones available which are very attractive.

How long do they light up for? - well, ours last about 8-10 hours at the moment which is perfect.

summary
~
- you don't need a garden - a balcony or window box will do.
- can find good but cheap ones if you look around/ buy out of season.
- great for lighting pathways.
- our local police said they MAY act as a deterrent for burglars.
- super for highlighting special features, plants, shrubs, ponds etc.

Summary: something to make your area something individual & 'special'