Gardening at night?

It's been so hot and humid during the day that I can't stand to be outside for more than 15 minutes. So, I was wondering if some night gardening would hurt my plants (perennials, veggies, bushes). —particularly, pruning and harvesting.

I don't see why it should.

The mosquitos would love for you to visit. And, in my neck of the woods all sorts of slithery things might come to say hello.

Seriously, I can't see why it would not be a great time to do those things you need to do.

There is no reason why you can't garden at night. It won't hurt your plants one bit. I would just be careful of your footing and of night critters you won't see until you're on top of them.

I can (somewhat) relate. In Phnx, AZ If you don't get out really early (4a.m. or so)....it gets hotter has the day progresses (I'm talking temps between 103 to 118!!) : at least until about 7 to 9 p.m.- then it starts to cool down. So, I put on a head-lite and go out to garden. The others are right, you do run into some "critters" but usually with the light, they have some warning- so no one has to be "surprised" (if you know what I mean...)

I have done some night gardening...just after the sun goes down. It's useful when you're trying to get rid of slugs...they like the night air as well... :)

Many times I garden until 9 or 10 PM and usually I save those jobs for the areas with outside lighting. I find it quiet, peaceful and a way to get something accomplished despite the heat the whole nation has been suffering from this summer.

I've got a good bright spotlight, (I call her "Daysie") ... makes it seem like daylight, and let's me garden all night long. The mosquitoes stay well away from it, although there is an occasional problem with June bugs. I used to kill off all the snails and slugs I could find, until I found out that slugs and snails = fireflies. Now I just round em up and toss em in with the compost piles, and life is good.
:)

Wonder -
What type of light technology in Daysie? Bug Zappers use light to attract. Daylight doesn't seem to deter the mosquitos here. I get bit early morning - mid afternoon - sun down and sun up and pitch dark. I'd like to find a light that I can use on the deck that would repel and or not attract the mosquitos.

It's the carbon dioxide in your breath, dark colors and sounds that attracts mosquitoes, not light.

A question, snails/slugs=fireflies?

I have found the new OFF mosquito repellant portable "fans" that you hang on your pocket to be extremely effective. I do a lot of stuff after dark too and the mosquitoes around here are ruthless. Got one of those little thingys and no more mosquitoes. A little pricey, perhaps, but worth it.

Okay .. I wandered away, and not sure if it's too late or not .. but wot the hack.

missingrosie:
"Daysie" is a 1000W Twin Head Halogen Work Light on a Tripod. (Canadian Tire sells them regularly $40, or $20 if you wait for a sale) I generally only need to use one side (500 W). I wouldn't recommend it for daily use .. unless you're a film maker, or need to land planes on a regular basis. I bring her out when it's simply impossible to be out in the daytime.

kwanjin:
slugs and snails = fireflies because fireflies lay their egg(s) on (in?) them .. it's supposed to be a food source kind of thing. I'm not sure if it's both slugs and snails they use or not - it's at least one of em.
Even before I learned what fireflies do, I read that slugs and snails don't need to feed on living plants .. they can be useful for breaking down compost .. so, when I find em, I make the little base-tards earn their keep by tossing them in with the compost. Have been doing that for about 3 or 4 years now .. the plants are fine, and the compost is ready faster, and richer than ever. Over-population isn't a problem because critters that love to eat slugs and snails are thrilled to be able to fill up at a compost pile rather than spend hours hunting through all those plants trying to find them.

For the record .. since I began banishing the "escargot" to the compost pile the number of fireflies seems to double with each passing year. This year was amazing.

:)

Oh, I think we have it. It is the light(s) my hubby uses when he paints. Likes to 'flood' the wall so he can see if he's missed a spot and likes to caulk and sand with it on shining on the wall.