Alex Heath, a Calne-based gardener, is the founder of Sulis Design Ltd, a design-only service specialising in low-maintenance, climate-resilient gardens and borders. He also offers a garden lighting design service, helping clients create atmosphere, enhance security, and extend the enjoyment of their gardens into the evenings - all in an environmentally conscious way. Each month, Alex shares his expertise, seasonal insights, and practical tips to help readers get the most from their outdoor spaces.
by Alex Heath
October, despite having increasingly reduced light levels, brings with it a riot of colour from leaves and the excitement of autumnal festivities, celebrations and the observance of national pizza month (yes, it is genuine). It is a great time to wrap up warm and explore the local area or perhaps go further afield to Westonbirt Arboretum to enjoy their autumn trails and walks. Taking time to enjoy the colour provides an opportunity to gain inspiration from nature but also viewing how other gardeners are using their space.
On a recent work trip to Liverpool, I came across a display of goods in Tesco celebrating the festival of Diwali which falls on October 20th . The religious festival uses light and colour to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, similar to the original context of Halloween where Pagan Celts honoured the dead with bonfires and light, before early Christians introduced All Saints Day on the 1st of November.
Bearing these festivals of light in mind, I want to take a brief look at how garden lighting can be sensitively incorporated for increasing security and enjoyment within your gardens. Practical lighting could be including path lighting to allow you to walk down a path, visit a bin store or lighting your front garden for delivery drivers and entertainment lighting could be festoon lighting over entertainment areas or highlighting interesting features within the garden.
The most important thing to think about is the control of the light. How will the light turn off and when will it turn off. This is beneficial for your neighbours, who may not enjoy your light display, but crucially also for nature, which will be disrupted by a constant presence of light. Keep in mind that turning your lighting off by 23:00 and turning it on again when required, is beneficial for your neighbours, nature and, if using main powered fixtures, your energy bill.
Also consider the colour of the lights being used, using warm white tones going no higher than the colour temperature 3000K. Whilst sitting in your garden this will also give a warm welcoming feeling rather than a cold operating theatre feel.
When installing the lighting think about what you want to light. Which particular plants and features do you want to highlight, or are you providing functional lighting for an eating area, kitchen or path to garden storage areas. Remember less is more with lighting; you will make more of an impact and drama picking out a few key elements to light.
Ensure you aren’t creating nuisance lighting by shining lights on to neighbouring properties or roadways. If lighting a path try and use lighting that is low level and points down to pick out steps, trip risks or just a regular interval.
So far, I have only mentioned electric lighting, either using 12 volts or 240 volts, but here are some other types to consider. There are great solar units available but be wary of the cheaper models as they usually don’t turn off, are typically bright white in light output and tend to break after a season.
Think about rechargeable LED table lights or candles, which give you flexibility in lighting different areas without worrying about wiring. There are small table lamps up to large standard lamp style which not only light your garden but can look like a piece of pop art artwork.
Done sensitively, lighting can extend the usage of your garden into the winter months, provide security and create a sense of drama and occasion. If you need more advice on the way, you can incorporate lighting into your garden or are looking for garden design services from Sulis Design, then get in touch by clicking the banner above.
Key tips for lighting your garden.
- Use timers to control your lighting or remember to turn the lighting off when not in use
- Choose fixtures that point down when lighting paths
- Use warm tones and avoid cold white or multicoloured lighting
- Ensure lighting doesn’t disrupt your neighbours and wildlife
- Try to invest in the best fixtures you can afford remember the phrase buy cheap, buy twice
- Ensure that if using mains voltage fixtures, you use a qualified electrician to help you install
- Consider the use of candles, fire bowls and how these can create a different type of atmosphere
- Consider keeping the multi coloured, flashing lights to festivities such as Diwali and Christmas and remember to turn them off when not in use.
Plant of the month
Acer platanoides Norway Maple are at the cusp of bursting into bright autumn foliage. Whilst some are only starting to show signs of colour changing by the end of October, they will be a riot of colour to enjoy. Let’s hope the storms stay away and the leaves aren’t blown off the trees. If you want to see them around Calne, check out the trees on School Road near the Calne Town football club.
Jobs for the month
Start protecting your tender plants by lifting tubers or adding layers of insulation before the frosts start. Plants you should consider protecting are dahlias, cannas, tree ferns and citrus as these are susceptible to early frosts.
Whilst there is still some warmth in the soil, consider planting roses, moving potted plants or planting evergreen shrubs to add structure to your garden.
Start the garden tidy up by removing old hanging basket displays and composting the contents.
Plant out garlic cloves to over winter the cloves ready for a harvest next year.
Sow brassicas to over winter the crops to get spring greens and broad beans in early 2026.
Cut autumn fruiting blackberries and raspberries down to ground level to reinvigorate the canes for next year.
Clean out your greenhouse ready for the 2026 Spring growing season, if storing plants in the greenhouse over winter add some insulation to protect tender plants from frost.
Set aside an area to gather leaves ready to make leaf mulch.
Service your garden tools and machinery removing any old soil or grass clippings. Sterilise, sharpen and oil secateurs, saws and loppers.
