How to install Led strips in ground?

[flummoxed01]

  

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to install LED strips side by side next to edging, along with some spotlights. I’ve seen some waterproof COB LED strips that I intend to purchase, along with basic spotlights.

I have a few questions:

1. What channels do I need to buy for the LED installation?

2. Do you have any recommendations for a transformer?

Additionally, I’d love any suggestions on how to beautify the garden beds that still look messy. I’m trying to avoid mulching. Thanks! 

[JacobZ]

Hi @flummoxed01,

Thank you for your question.

Typically, you would use aluminium channel to hold your LED strip lights. They come in a variety of colours and sizes to suit your requirements.

Your choice of transformer will have to match the strip lights you choose and be IP67 rated for external use. If you can advise which LED strips you are looking at, I can have a look for compatible transformers.

Mulching is a simple solution to beautify the garden beds, but it is not the only one. Perhaps you could add some decorative stones to cover the soil and help suppress weeds.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @TedBear for their thoughts.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @flummoxed01 

I am thinking of the LED rubber encased Christmas styled rope lights but really not sure how they would go in the ground, even in a channel that isnt set in concrete.

I was thinking instead of a LED strip how about multiple LED light stands? Or ones that push into the ground Click 6cm 10 Lumens Bailey Solar LED Disc Light - Pack of 8 I think there may be transformer ones as well in this type. I have also seen these at a mates place and they looked surpprisingly nice Click Cassidy Solar LED Garden Light 

With the core10 edging you could have LED lights that face down fromthe garden bed so it backlights the edge. For ground cover mmmmmm instead of outright mulch what about wood chip mulch? It has a different look andcomes in a few colours. I am not super keen on pebbles as one day someone will want to remove them I would probarlly suggest to go for a ground cover instead and plant it out. that way its a pruning option every so often to keep tidy.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @flummoxed01 

Love your idea for the in-ground LED lighting! The challenge will be in finding a product to follow a curve thats not going to deteriorate. The other issue is that any direct lighting essentially pointing up is actually an annoyance to your eyes unless you're able to control the brightness with a dimmer and possible have control over the light colour.

So this is my suggestion for consideration. 

Use a mains powered low-voltage strip light that allows full control over the lighting like this one. It also has Smart Control from your mobile device to set scheduled on/off times etc. Fix the strip lighting along the top of the metal garden edging and then cover it and the top of the garden edge with this rubber over-mould. This will protect the strip lighting and provide some form of downward reflection of the light to provide a glow over the paved area.

Nailbag