How to String Outdoor Solar Lights With This Cheap Hack!

Ahna Fulmer
by Ahna Fulmer
7 Materials
$250
1 Day
Easy

Create your own relaxing backyard fireside retreat by learning how to string outdoor solar lights with this cheap hack!


For more DIY ideas and family fun be sure to visit Hammers N Hugs!


If you are new to these parts, then first of all welcome I am so glad you’re here. But I also need to fill you in on two things that I really love…


Fire.


And solar energy.


Random? Just keep reading.


I am always looking for an excuse to burn something whether it be one of the 3,597 candles in our tiny little 1400 sq ft French Country cottage fixer upper or a campfire to roast sausages, saute veggies and sing Kum-Ba-Yah together.

I also love solar energy.


Solar energy just makes sense to me. So much so that we have installed a solar system on 2 of our 3 fixer uppers now.


In fact, you should read all about how you could potentially qualify for a FREE solar system like we did and actually make money doing it (lots of incentive bonuses being offered right now)!

When we bought this French Country Cottage fixer upper the back yard looked something like this.


I had visions of raised garden beds and a fire pit with solar lights like you see in so many of these gorgeously stunning Pinterest photos.


I love when old barrels are used as planters, but do you know how expensive they are?!


Or just finding ANY planter tall enough to function as a base for a 4×4 for less than $100 each?

So I improvised. I found a budget solution for creating your own backyard fireside retreat with solar lights.


Tah-dah! Trash cans! $20 each.

As you can see they worked beautifully! 

Without further ado let’s chat about how to string outdoor solar lights with this garbage can hack.


I promise it is EASY.

SPRAY THE TRASH CANS


 (OPTIONAL: IF YOU WANT A DIFFERENT COLOR)

PLACE 5 GALLON BUCKET IN TRASH CAN AND LEVEL.


**Be sure to drill holes in the bottom or the sides of the trashcan first to allow for water run off as this will become a planter! (we forgot to do this!)** icon

PLACE THE POST IN THE 5 GALLON BUCKET AND LEVEL.
FILL THE 5 GALLON BUCKET WITH QUIKRETE AND WATER.


It starts to set very quickly and you can let go in approx 10 minutes.

FILL THE TRASH CAN WITH POTTING SOIL.
ATTACH THE SOLAR LIGHTS TO THE TOP OF THE POSTS!


AFTER!

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Ahna Fulmer
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  • Jaswan Jaswan on Oct 30, 2021

    Great idea---- but where is the French country fixer upper house? I didn't see any pics of that one?! I would love to see it and the before and after of projects in a French country house!! Sounds great

    but the light project in this article pairs great with this development style house--- usually they all look alike , or variations, so the light posts make this one stand out!!

    great job

  • Jane Hurl Jane Hurl on Oct 30, 2021

    Just a thought: did you consider putting rocks/gravel in the bottom half of the trash can so that it has more weight to hold it upright in a stiff wind?

  • Donna Donna on Oct 19, 2022

    Hi - great project. What were the clips use to secure the lights to the post I don't see those listed under materials?

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  • Linda Moore Linda Moore on Oct 22, 2022

    I think it's beautiful!!! Ya'll did a great job.


  • Julie Julie on May 25, 2023

    Funny. The “dads” at my small town elementary school 50(!) years ago did much the same thing but placed a metal pole inside an old tire with concrete. Two of them, each with a ring welded on top and another about 3 ft down, and we had a portable volleyball / badminton net. Even smallish kids could tip them over and roll the tires out of storage and over to where we wanted to play.

    Thanks for the memory! 😊

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