How to Install Landscape Lighting (w/ Monica from The Weekender)

[@djdavis1120]

I’m a 70 year old woman who installed my outdoor lighting successfully! I bought everything that was used in the video and followed the directions to the letter. Thank you! I’m a happy senior!

[@TrueSpeak-TS]

Nice

[@marlinem26]

Got it, retire so you have time for this project.

[@PerpetuallyEthereal]

That’s awesome, Dona! I’m about to give it a try. I’m sure it’s doable and I bet you didn’t need a full seven days to complete one project. Otherwise, I suppose retirement is mandatory, as some think.

[@jessicanolan6759]

Geez this is a lot of work!

[@bingersinger1517]

You are so inspiring this 65 year old!!! But still working for da man!

[@DJayAce4]

I'm an electrician, just throwing in my 2 cents. This video tutorial is actually done right. They did things professionally, the way I would have done it for the most part. I'm impressed... Usually when I watch videos like this it's extremely cringy to the point where you can tell the people aren't experienced and know anything about the electrical trade. This one is done right, and done the professional way. Such a nice pleasant surprise to watch a real pro do his thing. Good job. One thing I want to note. The outlet must be GFCI protected. Either with a GFCI breaker, or the receptacle itself must be a GFCI receptacle or fed off of one. They didn't bring this up but it is something to take note of and make sure you have in place. Doesn't matter that the load side of that power pack is low voltage, you still need it. Great video though.

[@BeaNz335i]

Wouldn’t the outlet outside be GFCI since it’s outside?

[@DJayAce4]

@@BeaNz335i You'd assume so. As long as the electrician who installed the outlet knows what he's doing, or takes enough pride in his work to install things up to code. Unfortunately you don't get that all the time. You'll get bad electricians who will install outside outlets that are not GFCI. They are all over the place. Gotta watch out!

[@ruchitharambepola5478]

in the 7:50 mark of the video how does she connect all three wires together? didnt understand that

[@DJayAce4]

@@ruchitharambepola5478 Each light requires 1 HOT wire and 1 NEUTRAL wire. You have to connect all the Hots together and all the Neutrals together. In this case the reason she says connect all three wires together is because she is connecting all 3 HOTS together and then on a separate wirenut(splice) she is connecting all 3 NEUTRALS together. She has 3 hots and 3 neutrals at that particular splicing point because she has 1 hot and 1 neutral coming from her source power which is providing power to the 2 separate lights. Then she made a splice in the wires so they would go off in 2 separate directions to power the lights in opposite directions. That's why there are 3 wires twisted together for the hot wire and 3 wires twisted together for the neutral wire. Hope this helps. PS: Hopefully you have the transformer hooked up so the voltage is low voltage correct? You don't want to direct bury cables that have 120 volts. She took that 120v and set a transformer that knocked it down to a very low voltage, THEN you are allowed to run those wires out to the lights. Hopefully you have done all that first...

[@ruchitharambepola5478]

​@@DJayAce4 Thanks alot... you explained it well... appreciate it....No i havent done anything yet. Still researching on garden lights!!!

[@barbarab2945]

Hands Down! This is the most thorough DIY video i have ever seen. You two didn’t miss a step. AWESOME! Thank You

[@420]

I genuinely enjoyed this video showing that it isn't too daunting of a DIY, and especially how you showed multiple obstacles you may be tasked with e.g. going across the lawn, under the cement, and through the cement. Great work!

[@annanicole1717]

Perfect, professional presentation. No wasting time or filling video with nonsense stories. Thank you.

[@misterme5104]

As someone who edges a lawn, running the wire along the edge of the sidewalk might cause trouble if someone runs an edger or a trimmer along the edge of the lawn. I would've moved that wire run a few inches away from the sidewalk. My humble opinion. Love the video.

[@bobufo5729]

If it was up to code it would be 6 inches deep. 80 percent of landscape lighting installers I’ve met have no pride in there work. You are so right . I am in the industry and I have to fix wires over and over. The customers usually payed some landscaper to install it , which could go either way. Some are fantastic and some have absolutely no idea what they’re doing. It can be advantageous to bury the wire to code (6 inches deep to the top) along the edge of the grass so that you are able to find the wire for maintenance. What happens to many people is they try to save money by going with the cheapest option or not looking around and having there guy who mows there lawn do it, then the wire gets cut over and over, and they pay a company around $75 per hour to come fix it , which takes 10 minutes but they still get charged for the hour . That’s how you turn the cheapest option to the most expensive. Then inevitably they would get fed up with it getting cut all over the place and pay more money for someone to rip up all the wires and re bury them . also is gonna cost $75 a man hour and take as long as the original system install plus the time to rip up the old wires. As well as pay the maintenance rate which is higher than the install rate because the company’s make money off the product by getting a contractor rate.

[@kathywitkowski3154]

So so happy to see Monica! BRING THE WEEKENDER BACK!!!

[@pdswrld5200]

Who's the WEEKENDER?😕

[@kathywitkowski3154]

@@pdswrld5200 This is a previous Lowe's series with Monica, which I wish they would bring back. It was five projects that could be done over one weekend.

[@paulargyropoulos9936]

Of all the landscape lighting videos I've watched, this was the best one.

[@gr9879]

Indeed

[@michaellim4165]

I say this whenever Monica comes on: bring back the weekender, please!!!

[@chicangel2000]

Yesss I was wondering why I couldn't find new videos anymore.

[@PracticallyCreative]

Amen!

[@walterjvp]

Michael Lim I

[@mialite7959]

What's the "weekender"?

[@MrsBungle78]

Ugh...I’ve been nagging about this forever! I never get an answer!

[@chicangel2000]

BRING 👏 BACK 👏 THE 👏 WEEKENDER 👏

[@ShirleyBrian]

I miss The Weekender so much

[@jasonedwards161]

P 0

[@nahnotnathan]

Extremely helpful video. Love how you showed how to get around some of the more commonly encountered obstacles. Gave me the information and confidence I needed to tackle it myself

[@jeffpassage7295]

Ok now I just need wheel barrow, spade shovel, masonry saw, galvanized pipe, pick axe, electrical tools and a friend who isn’t busy the next few saturdays 😝

[@RexyFan]

This is exactly what I bought today. Not for lighting though, but for my outdoor pavers. Good to hear I’ll be using the same tools again for lighting.

[@JohnHuitema]

Perfect timing! Just finished redoing the pool and we wanted to install landscape lighting around that and at the front of the house! Just saved me from doing all the research. Thanks Monica.

[@alanthompson4912]

Please have a professional do the lighting around the pool, I just saw a horrible story where 3 family members were electrocuted in there own pool because of poor wiring instillations, so sad.

[@JohnHuitema]

Alan Thompson Yikes. We still haven’t done it yet haha ended up redoing two bathrooms instead. Thanks for the advice.

[@awpolymerclayhouse2298]

@@alanthompson4912 Good day Alan, we want to develop an integrated brass path light, can I get some suggestions from you? Thanks in advance.

[@MrsBungle78]

Looks fantastic but wow, that’s some work for some lights! You’re a legend! This would’ve taken me days...at which point I probably would’ve given up or hired somebody!

[@marytm2396]

Happy to get to see Monica videos again but I really really really want the Weekender back please!!!!

[@meowsmurf]

I am glad to watch your video before purchasing or installing my outdoor lighting. You have demonstrated all possible layout that I could run into. Thank you so much! You make it really possible for homeowners can do ourselves at home.

[@clarkriccobuono3903]

This was the best DIY video I have watched yet on this subject. Thank you

[@astroboy862]

Was just discussing outdoor lighting with my wife along our driveway and flowerbed to replace our solar lighting, because rain and dirt would cover the sensors and eventually not make them work. My problem was our walkway, which you mentioned in yr video using the galvanized piping and that solved my dilemma...thank you

[@jameymatheny3092]

I did learn a couple of things that will help me do my project. Here is a tip for connecting the wires to the control transformed on the post. Use a piece of PVC conduit to put the wires inside of. This will "clean up" the visual of the wires. Doing this will make it so you don't even see the wires coming up the pole to the transformer and it won't look so much like a rat's nest.

[@Nicholas-f5]

Copper pipe would look amazing here.

[@nicalove77]

Amazing video I have never seen all of these steps before. I am saving this to my phone… Bravo 👏👏👏 Thank you !!!

[@solarvance2437]

This is a good video to show decorative outdoor lighting for the yard. The light fixtures in the video are high quality, like that! In the future, you may also think of going with solar-powered solutions on the lighting, less trenching or wiring.

[@peacefull_moment]

You are awesome at explaining the process and knowing that people want to save money by doing projects themselves. Looking forward to sharing the video w my husband and attempting this soon.

[@mindyschaper]

I did NOT know there were so many steps to this process. Definitely hiring someone for this - I have 0 patience!

[@nsh399]

VERY PROFESSIONAL ...THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS VIDEO. I am an electrical contractor and purchase the step lights. great product!

[@kennycastro]

Best, and most professional video I’ve seen. And I can find all this at one store!

[@esterixis]

Talk about timely! This is my next backyard project. The toughest part will be trenching through caliche soil, but I've got this!

[@fios4me]

I don’t recommend running your wire up against the concrete walkway like they did here. When concrete meets grass as it does here it is often trimmed with an power edger that penetrates the soil each time you edge to give you that clean edge. I’d recommend running it 6-8 inches away from the concrete to ensure no edger even gets close to your wire. And remember when new soil settles it often sinks reducing the distance between the surface and the wire making you more susceptible to making contact with the wire. Another reason you don’t want to be up against the edge of the concrete. Otherwise, everything else they demonstrated here is spot on. Good job!

[@BasilGab]

BRING BACK THE WEEKENDER!!!!!!!

[@michaels7598]

Very well done EXCEPT - good idea to set a good example from the start - wear safety glasses also when hammering the pipe and and even though its very low voltage - good to remind everyone to have the electrical disconnected before cutting/connecting wires.

[@lindashobe-e7j]

Great job. Would like to see install of lights up in the branches for taller trees.

[@LifeAsJohnWilliam]

great job with the video. She did a great job explaining things.

[@susanheath8744]

OMG grass and dirt! Try working in the red rock country of Arizona. We have rocks, heat and drought. Really enjoy watching your videos

[@lindam9085]

Us too! E we moved to sun city and have tons of rock in our backyard

[@gareyperkins4804]

Oi8868866 po 8

[@gareyperkins4804]

⅞4

[@ozzyc9208]

This is very helpful video. Thank you guys.

[@o.thomas518]

This is a very informative video. I had to do a lot of research to learn how to install low voltage lights and everything was explained in layman's terms. It was especially important to know how to connect the wires but I wish it was more detailed how to connect the wire to the transformer. Also, I have the same problem bringing the lights on the other side of the driveway. I would never cut the asphalt, I'm happy it's still in one piece. I would have looped it around the back of the driveway or if the run is too long, install a low capacity transformer near the garage and work around. After installing low voltage lights, I tossed all my solar lights without ever looking back. Everything I have is from Volt. Their integrated lights have lifetime warranty.

[@bonbonbaby1982]

Bring back the weekender I miss your episoded

[@Veronica-bd8yv]

Bring the weekender back!

[@PersonaN007Grata]

Two suggestions, use a perfectly flat, heavy duty shovel to cut a line into the mulch and spread apart to lay wire into it. Much easier and faster. Also, use a sidewalk tunneling kit, attach to a hose and it’ll do all the work for you instead of having to hammer the conduit under the cement. Great video. Thank you.

[@awpolymerclayhouse2298]

Good day , we want to develop an integrated brass path light, can I get some suggestions from you? Thanks in advance.

[@Tunenine]

Omg do I need someone like you now.

[@Kathy-ne7es]

Yes please bring Monica back

[@sesanamkhonto7861]

Thanks a lot. This is the best video just keep it up guys.

[@janicesisson4509]

Bring back the weekender. Are you listening Lowe’s?

[@GoodandDelicious]

This video was great and VERY informative!

[@vonsevilla4426]

love night time accent lights but after watching the whole 19:33, I've decided to purchase the solar accent lights instead.

[@thebat7774]

Biggest mistake you can make. A good solar light will put off about 20-35 lumens of light. The typically uplighting MR16 will put out 375-430 lumens. It is no where near close. Sadly solar lighting fixtures isn't where it needs to be to be considered a serious staple in landscape lighting.

[@sentry9834]

I had the exact opposite reaction. I was considering solar at first, but now that I see how easy it is to install hard wired lighting, I'm going with that. Its pricey but worth it.

[@robertpeters2741]

Solar lights don't last very long, don't waste your money

[@claytonwilliams1005]

This is how to install low-voltage lighting and it is very helpful for that purpose. Those who made comments about using solar lighting just need to find a different video. Solar lighting doesn’t always work well - too dim or not enough sunshine available- and this video convinced me to switch from solar to low-voltage. Thanks.

[@anthonyhuerta3432]

Yeah when we first bought our home, we opted for solar lights. We’ve only been here 3 years and only 2 are left working out of 8. Even when we purchased additional, they don’t last long. We’re going to hardwire before summer.

[@josephnorcalusa1710]

Helpful information, thank you for sharing !

[@dawnmendez945]

Awesome video!!! Now I have a project to do being quarantined!! You gave a lot of info!! Thanx love your energy!!

[@alexisespejo7643]

So well done Lowes.

[@Mira3441]

That was a great tutorial! Thanks!!

[@TP-hz1kf]

Amazing tutorial

[@kaycox5555]

I learn so much from these shows. Thanks!

[@awperonline6576]

For the past 20 years I've always used wire loom when using wire outside on vehicles and outside of my house for added protection.

[@GoodandDelicious]

Also, love how Monica looks like a mess at the end 😂. Just shows she really did the work and wasn’t just a chatty host. 👍🏻

[@bryanbradford3837]

I hope you’re trying to be funny. That Steve guy clearly did almost everything.

[@mialite7959]

Yet she still has those thighs. Experienced gardener here. 30+ years. I think Bryan Bradford hit the nail on the head. Her knees got dirty from kneeling and doing a lot of watching.

[@michelebrooke3206]

What are the pros and cons of putting the wire in a PVC pipe give it more protection? Yes, we need a ton more of Monica's videos.

[@robertbrandywine]

I have some wire under the ground that is still working after 28 years, so I don't think PVC is necessary.

[@DKLabs99]

I was thinking the same. Thought an added layer of protection wouldn’t hurt. An extra step but probably worth doing for peace of mind

[@MiguelPerez-sx1mj]

Great video, very informative. One thing I will recommend also is that for the trenching instead of using a shovel you and use an edger. That way the ditch will be straight and same depth. Shovel will disturb to much lawn and it would look cleaner. I did the same job on my house and I used half inch pic pipe on the ground to protect the wire. Other than that it was a very helpful video and an excellent finish product. Thanks

[@wandarichardson4213]

I really want to do this now! Thank you for sharing✌💛☺

[@aphelionravi]

Love the light scaping! Thanks for making this video - I find it really inspiring! Cheers!

[@triciaosborn8093]

Lovely that I see this is doable....but some things are just worth paying someone else to do. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Especially since I am in love with lighting...it needs to be 110% on point. That's what the professionals are for. Whew...I'm exhausted just watching this!

[@gorak9000]

Best advice is if you're installing sprinklers, and ever think you're going to install lighting in the future, run the wire for the lights along side the sprinkler pipes, and just pop up to the surface with loops of wire where you think you'll put lights later. Dig once, buy the wire at the same time, and cry once!

[@AsiEsTito]

Love watching your series and projects. Very helpful!

[@roberto5665]

The video was excellent, however I believe that mentioning how to choose the proper transformer to handle the lights voltage consumption it is very important

[@StrawberryNZ9]

We love Monica!!

[@curtisthompson8488]

I find it waaaaaaaaaay easier to mark the new landscape edge. Burr down with a weed eater. Spray the grass with round up. Wait till dry and edge it and then mulch. Takes out the huge effort to dig out seriously healthy turf!

[@vv.crei.d]

⚡ Thank you, for reminding Builders to include Landscape Lighting while adding 🌲🌳🌹. 🌻🌻🌻

[@craigzilla100]

This series is amazing!!

[@obwilly]

Nice, but when it comes to running the 12GA along the edge of the sidewalk at 13:45 , aren't you worried about edging cutting that wire? Sidewalks get edged too.

[@chrisjohnson4573]

Bury the wire 6 inches deep

[@jelie2k]

Cutting up the driveway for landscape lighting is some next level stuff. I enjoyed the video, but I don’t know if this is DIY.

[@cgelmore488]

I don't know if needed, but I always run electrical inside of small white plumbing tube. :-) Thanks for all of the help!

[@ashontayowens8010]

What I learned from this video...So Solar or go Wireless LOL. Megan did an amazing job tho and I did learn a lot

[@bridgecross]

I tried the solar, but the light is so weak it just ended up looking cheap.

[@asoggyburger479]

Just thought I’d share that polarity doesn’t matter with low voltage. As long as one wire from each component is connected, you’re good to go.

[@dad.0]

Loved it, keep them coming!

[@kurlykurlz614]

What a DREAM home 😱😱😱

[@StonekingArmor]

Love this video.

[@milcagiolando8194]

We need the weekender!!!!!!!

[@JuanDiaz-fg6wn]

This was such a great video. Very detailed explanation of wiring landscape lighting...definitely switching from solar to low voltage lighting.

[@larryzhang9321]

Excellent video, thankyou!

[@WA-hornet007]

You made it look so easy

[@DJPoloMan]

Thanks for including the product links in the description.

[@jeremycourtney7466]

Convincing my wife to standby as I saw the driveway in half is going to be fun

[@LoveAffairsTube]

I love this!!!!😍🤩👍🏾

[@bmw3842]

Are you adding the silicone or do the connectors have them ? vs the mettal connector that you cover with plastic sleave and heat up to mold them to the wire

[@joete3324]

looks great, but what about Solar lights? not bright enough?

[@mohammeda.abdulkareem1945]

Amazing! I loved it 👍

[@TakeonAllTech]

Voltage is fine, how do we choose the right transformer ? I think it is also depends upon the lights that you are putting in, like wattage.

[@EngineeringmyLife]

I love watching Monica.... when is the weekender returning? Is there a reason why solar lights not used for this project?

[@carlindurfee7566]

They should make a video showing the electrical part with the transformer

[@freedomofreligion3248]

I think you said you were mounting the transforner onto a cedar post. But, wouldn't some waterproofing, sealant, something? be a wise addition to protect that cedar wood, or, is cedar utterly impervious to water, dirt, insects, freezes, etc.?

[@PerpetuallyEthereal]

Great video! It’s been years. Perhaps everyone’s calmed down about the driveway and taking the easy route with solar lights 🤭

[@Sal-75-2]

Some of my fixtures are next to each other like a path light and a near by up light. Can I connect both fixtures to one feeder connector?? Or must they have separate connections?? Thanks

[@juliemulcahy2266]

super vid!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ethelirvin4718]

AWESOME, JUST AWESOME GREAT WORK YOU BOTH HAS DONE. HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING HELP TO GET LIGHTS IN MY GARDEN ? THANK YOU FOR YOUR WOBDERFUL VIDEO.

[@perserventia]

for the under the sidewalk/driveway, I use a landscape spike screwed on front end of the pipe; also may need to use several screw on connecting pipe lengths :)

[@silviatoneli121]

Woow beautiful

[@biigcowboi469]

Some of the fixtures i bought came with a LVPC piece. Does it need to be installed as well? Or is more of a local code thing? I didn’t see them install any on the fixtures they used.

[@fewagner9107]

Amazing, beautiful.

[@ar6888]

Thinking some sort of cover on the wire might have been a good preventative measure to make sure it doesn't get damaged.

[@eyedee203]

Dumb question alert. So if I have a 200 watt transformer, I just have to add up all the lights I'm using and make sure it doesn't exceed the wattage, right? Just want to make sure I was overlooking anything.

[@robinwallace9655]

So pretty!

[@asadansari7183]

Thanks for information and video. I really enjoyed watching it. A A from Karachi Pakistan.

[@FrostElement]

Love it!!! I will be doing this within the next month

[@MrEnrique1225]

So much work! I got tired just watching