KINGSTON, R.I. – October 6, 2006 – The hot new topic in gardening is landscape lighting, which can be used for security, illuminating walkways, accenting plantings, and to extend the use of the garden into the evening hours.

To learn more about landscape lighting designs, the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension is sponsoring a two-hour seminar on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. in the URI Botanical Gardens. The workshop will address planning and design, lighting techniques and installation.

“Lighting can really bring your garden alive,” said Marion Gold, director of the URI Cooperative Extension Education Center, which has recently had an attractive lighting system installed at its new rose garden. “It not only enhances the beauty of your garden, but it can create all sorts of moods by illuminating particular textures, shapes and structures in the landscape.”

The workshop will be led by lighting designer Kathy Quinn from Wood River Evergreens, which has information about landscape lighting on its website www.woodriveregreens.com.

The workshop fee is $15. To register, call 401-874-2900 or email ceec@uri.edu.