Looking forward to answers on this one...we have the same problem!

 

I tried something new this year (I stopped cutting my front grass several weeks ago) hahahaha funny thing is, my neighbors totally understand why. Also, I have had good luck using landscaping staples to hold the cords down. You can get them in bags at like Home Depot. Used for pinning down that black weed stop material in flower beds I believe. ????

 

Also, I have had good luck using landscaping staples to hold the cords down. You can get them in bags at like Home Depot. Used for pinning down that black weed stop material in flower beds I believe. ????

Wow, I have a whole box of those left over from pinning netting over some blueberry bushes (to keep birds out), and I never would have thought of this. Great idea, Diabolik!

 

yup stop cutting grass and go out and collect loads and loads of leaves.

using black cords also helps, and planning enough cord length so you can route the cords along common paths and maybe use some flexible trunking

 

actually, if you have some spare wire coat hangers laying around, you can easily cut those up and bend them into "U" shaped pieces. Only need to be 3 or 4 inches high to effectively act as cable staples.

 

To disguise my numerous short cables in my lawn, I take a short bladed knife and slice a trough into the grass. I simply make a single cut...enough to shove the cable below the grass line. At the above-ground connection points, I pile leaves or dried grass clippings...sometimes glued to a bit of burlap. I also keep a good supply of appropriate fabric pieces on hand to hide cords in and around props. Whenever I can, I use plastic bags sealed with rubber bands at connection points if there is any chance of moisture problems.

 

I use dark green cords, tied in bundles, and strategically route them through the graveyard. Many of my lights are on or near the cemetary fence, so most of the cords run at the base of the fence. Those which have to be in the middle are run, as much as possible, behind tombstones. I also timed my grass cutting to give me an extra inch of grass. I have approximately 60 fifty foot cords in my yard, and virtually all are effectively hidden from the visitor's viewing angle. I checked this weekend. With everything on, I'm only drawing 38A of power peak, 22A average. Mental note-buy electric company stock...

 

Pinestraw. I have no yard anyhow - between the shade and my decorating and the drought I've managed to kill off all the grass. I gave up last year and decided to just plant spring bulbs in the flowerbeds then place potted flowers in them after the blooms were gone. Pinestraw everywhere else, although I did start a small patch of ivy next to the graveyard.
I have two cords that runs out along each side of the yard to the hedge at the front, plugged into those 3-way outlets. Other than that, I don't seem to be able to plan out my electrical needs very well until I get the props up so I just run cords all over the place until I'm done then I go back and group them and hide under pinestraw, leaves, other props.

 

My wife thinks I'm nuts... I dug a trench about 6 inches down right next to our sidewalk and ran a length of conduit with an outdoor cable inside it. I have a screw-on cap for when I am not using the power. The other end is just plugged into the house outlet, so doesn't have to meet building codes.

Now I just run a short outdoor extension from the underground outlet to the light sensitive timer hidden behind my cemetary fence to power all my lights without fear of tripping.

 

Can you post some pics of this?

 

I am going to take some shots tonight, so I will grab some of the details. Have to get a photobucket account I guess!!