Honestly, hiding it behind planters or along a fence is way less hassle. If something goes wrong, you can just pull it out and fix it without digging up half the yard.
That’s a practical approach, and I have to admit, I’ve learned the hard way that “overengineering” outdoor cable runs doesn’t always pay off. I once insisted on running armored conduit under a stone path—looked great on paper, but when we had to troubleshoot a connection issue months later, it was a nightmare. Sometimes the simplest solution really is best, especially with kids and pets in the mix.
I do wonder, though—have you noticed any issues with exposure when running cables along fences or behind planters? I’m always a bit wary about UV damage or critters chewing through things. Maybe I’m overthinking it... but then again, after replacing chewed-up irrigation lines twice, I’m not sure there’s such a thing as too cautious. Either way, your point about easy access makes a lot of sense. There’s something to be said for being able to fix things without turning the backyard into an excavation site.
I hear you on the critters—squirrels chewed through my speaker wire last summer, so I get the paranoia. What’s worked for me is using UV-resistant outdoor cable and running it through cheap split loom tubing. It’s not bulletproof, but it’s a lot cheaper than armored conduit and way easier to replace if something goes wrong. I’m curious, has anyone tried those cable covers that look like fake rocks or garden edging? Wondering if they’re worth the extra few bucks or just gimmicky.
I tried those fake rock covers once—honestly, they looked more like lumpy potatoes than rocks. Critters still found their way in, and I ended up tripping over one mowing the lawn. Split loom’s been way more practical for me. If you want something tougher, cheap PVC pipe from the hardware store works too—just a bit more work to bury.
PVC pipe is definitely the way to go if you want something that’ll actually keep things out and last. I usually go with schedule 40—just enough thickness to handle a shovel or two if someone’s digging later. It’s not the quickest job, but if you measure out your run, cut the pipe to size, and use a couple of 90-degree elbows for turns, it’s pretty straightforward. Just make sure to seal up the ends with duct seal or expanding foam so you don’t end up with a squirrel condo underground... Learned that one the hard way. Split loom’s fine for short runs, but for anything permanent, I’d stick with PVC.
I hear you on the PVC—definitely does the trick for keeping critters out, though I’ve seen folks go a little overboard with schedule 80 like they’re burying treasure or something. I’ll admit, I’ve just used split loom for a couple of my own backyard runs and it’s held up fine, but then again, my dog’s more likely to dig than the neighbors. The squirrel condo thing made me laugh... had a chipmunk nest in an old conduit once and it was a mess to clear out. Guess there’s no perfect solution, but PVC’s hard to beat if you want it to last.