Q 13: I am landscaping our front yard and would like to have some pathway lights. I am looking to put in solar lights.
How good are these solar lights?How effective are they?   Chella.

A: I have to say that I am in two minds regarding solar lighting. As they run on solar power much of the efficiency depends on light levels throughout the day (especially in the darker, winter months), so in a shady area, there will be insufficient light to keep the bulbs at an adequate level after dark - even in a sunny area, light levels can be low on an overcast day in the winter months.

I have some solar lights out front and they are so dim at the moment (even at dusk) that they are next to useless.

They are ok if they are merely providing a bit of ambient light, but if you need them to be at a reliable level (ie: to light pathways, steps or entrance ways) I would always recommend electric lighting.

Q 12: Hello Mark, We had our 20ft. x 40ft. in-ground pool filled in with good top soil on top. I plan to use it for a flower and vegetable garden. It is a kidney shaped pool. What would you suggest as to what, how, and where to plant the plants? Any information will be greatly appreciated.

A: Hi there.
Thanks for your garden query. I assume that there is good drainage through the soil in the pool, in which case you have a great choice as to what to plant.
When designing a large planted area like this it is important to first decide where your paths are going to go. As you need regular access (as you intend to grow vegetables) I would recommend one main path sweeping through the center of the pool - about 1 - 1.5m wide and curved to echo the shape of the pool with several minor paths or even stepping stones to allow access to either bed. You could even have a wider area of paving in the center in which you could incorporate an informal raised herb garden.
With the planted areas it is best to divide the space up into separate beds - it's important when growing vegetables to 'rotate the crops' (ie: don't plant the same crops in the same place year after year as it can greatly increase the chance of pest and diseases.
In it's simplest format I would use a three bed system - one for Brassicas (eg cabbages, greens etc) one for Root vegetables (Carrots, potatoes etc) and one for legumes (peas and beans). The brassicas should go in the bed that the legumes were in the previous year, so your rotation would be
Year 1. BED 1 Legumes; BED 2 Brassicas; BED 3 Root veg:
Year 2. BED 1 Brassicas; BED 2 Root veg; BED 3 Legumes:
Year 3. BED 1 Root veg; BED 2 Legumes; BED 3 Brassicas:
I would also recommend turning the whole area into what is known as a potager. That is a garden which contains a mixture of vegetables and perennial and annual flowers (and herbs) all planted in a seemingly informal, attractive way rather than regimented lines of cabbages and peas. In this way you can grow a few ornamental vegetables (like red cabbages or ruby chard) which may look too good to eat! Remember most vegetables prefer a sunny spot with protection from wind. Some good flowering plants to include are - lavender, marigolds, echinacea (coneflower), rudbeckia, asters, sweet peas, salvia, nepeta, helichrysum, rosemary, scented leaved and straight pelargoniums,
Hope this has been of some help!