Short answer: when the evenings get dark early, your landscape lights do more work. Reset the timer or photocell for the season, trim plants that have grown into the beams, clean the lenses and add light where the early dark exposes gaps. Our minimum service call is $95, and new fixtures start from $195 each.
Why the long nights change the job
In summer the lights come on late and are barely noticed. In the fall, they come on while you are still making dinner, and you are walking from the car to the door in the dark. The yard has to work earlier in the evening, and for more hours. That makes every flaw visible: the dark step, the dead path light, the glare from a bare bulb.
Fall also changes the plants. Leaves drop and let light through. Branches that blocked a beam in August let it pass in November, so some fixtures throw light much farther. Other plants have grown all summer and now block fixtures they did not block in spring.
A fall tune-up, step by step
- Walk the yard at dusk. Look at what the lights show now, not what they showed in June.
- Reset the timer. If it uses a clock, check the on and off times. If it uses a photocell, wipe the sensor.
- Clean lenses. Summer spray, pollen and dirt build up.
- Trim plants away from beams. Prune shrubs that have grown in front of fixtures.
- Re-aim fixtures that now hit a bare branch or a blank wall.
- Check steps and walks. Every change in level should be lit.
- Replace dead lamps and fix dim runs.
- Plan what is missing. The early dark shows where a light would help.
Timers and photocells
| Control | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Photocell | Turns on at dusk, off at dawn or a set time | Seasonal changes with no work from you |
| Clock timer | Fixed on and off times | Predictable schedules, needs seasonal reset |
| Astronomical timer | Tracks sunrise and sunset by date | Hands-off, adjusts all year |
| Smart timer or app | Schedules and remote control | Changing routines |
A clock timer that was right in July can come on after dark in October, leaving a gap. That is one of the most common fall complaints we hear. See our lighting page.
Where more light helps
Most yards have a gap that nobody noticed in summer. It is often the side gate, the garage walk, a section of driveway or the steps to the back door. Path lights at steady spacing, a wash on the wall near the entry or one uplight on a good tree can fix it. Low-voltage LED costs little to run, so extra hours are not a worry.
Keep the glare down
Longer nights make glare worse, because eyes adjust to the dark. A bare bulb that was fine at dusk is harsh at nine o’clock. Look for fixtures that you can see directly from the house, and shield or re-aim them. Soft, warm light is easier on the eyes.
Fixtures that last
If you replace the same fixtures every year, the material may be the issue. Thin shells corrode in clay and sprinkler spray. We offer lifetime-brass fixture options for the wet spots.
What it costs
Our minimum service call is $95. New fixtures start from $195 each. We design at dusk on your property and offer a live demo before you commit. The estimate is free, and you get a firm number before any work begins.
What to do about leaves
Fallen leaves are the other fall chore for lights. A thick layer over a path light hides it, and a wet pile around a fixture holds moisture on the seals. Blow or rake leaves off fixtures when you clear the beds. Watch for leaves settling on the lens of uplights. A short pass after each big leaf drop keeps the light where it belongs and saves a service visit later.
When to call us
Call when lights are dim, a run is dark, the timer will not hold its time or the early dark shows places you want lit. We offer same-day service, answer day and night, and are family-owned, licensed and insured. See our landscape lighting design page and our gallery.
FAQ
Why do my landscape lights come on too late in the fall? A clock timer set for summer will be off by the time dusk comes earlier. Reset it or use a photocell.
Do landscape lights use much power? LED fixtures draw little, so longer hours are not a concern.
Should I trim plants around my lights? Yes. Branches and shrubs that block a beam waste the fixture.
How much does a service visit cost? Our minimum service call is $95, with a firm number before any work begins.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.