I don't think a string of Christmas lights would make enough light for you to see the weeds.

Maybe you could use solar landscape lights? That way you wouldn't need to run wiring to or through your garden. You also might be able to wear a headlamp that would shine a light directly into whatever area you're working in. That might provide a bright enough light for you to work in the garden before or after sunrise. You can find inexpensive solar lighting at many places, including Wal-Mart, and I've seen both head lamps and lighted baseball caps (the lights are in the brim of the cap) at places like Lowe's or Home Depot.

Personally, I make it a point to not be in the garden at night, and both my fenced gardens are built as far away as possible from the outdoor security light that lights up the driveway and house/barn area. You're probably not in a rural area, but I am, and there are creatures, including snakes, coyotes, bobcats and skunks, out at night that I wouldn't want to encounter in the garden, or on my way to or from the garden.

Whatever lighting option you choose, I wouldn't leave it on except when I was in the garden. Some plants are photoperiodic, responding to daylight/artificial light and daylength, and having artificial light can interfere in their normal behavior and growth as plants need darkness as well as light. This is why it is not recommended to leave the lights on plants 24/7 when raising them indoors. Lighting the garden at night also can attract moths, and many moths will lay eggs that hatch out caterpillars that devour plants.

I know you want to weed, but I think maybe you have a touch of Spring Fever, Ezzirah. You know how much I love to garden, but I'm never going to be out there in the dark. And, to be fair to you, I am at home all day and can work in the garden during daylight hours so I don't feel pressed for gardening time to the point that I'd ever contemplate staying out there in the dark. I totally understand why you want to be out in the garden and I understand that you're trying to fit gardening in around your work schedule, which can be very difficult to do. Also, at this time of the year, the nighttime air is very cool and, in fact, often cold, so don't forget that. As I am typing this it is 35 degrees and dark outside at my house, and I have no desire whatsoever to be outside right now.

I've been known to go out in the middle of the night too. Sometimes it's the only time I can go after getting home late, feeding kids and getting them to bed. I would do a headlamp like dawn said. There are some really awesome ones out now.

The problem with the solar is I find that with most the battery is dead by early morning. You can put in better batteries but they aren't cheap.

Mike

I do a lot of gardening at night, also due to kids. I am in Tulsa, so I do not have many critters to worry about at night, although I do see opossums pretty regularly. If I did not garden at night, I am not sure I would be able to have a garden.

It is a bit of a curse and a blessing that my neighbor has a street style lamp on a telephone pole in his backyard for security. There is one in my yard as well but we do not pay to have it work. I can see well enough to do some planting, pruning, etc... but use a flashlight for checking on seedlings and pulling any weeds I happen to see.

As I have no control over the matter, I have not done the research to see what plants might be hampered by the neighbor's light, which is quite bright. I guess as I start enlarging my gardening areas and putting edible plants in the front yard, I should start seeing what plants I should try moving away from the night time light.

Another option for lights would be one of those workshop lights on tripods or stands. They put out a huge amount of light but are certainly more pricey than a strand of xmas lights. I have seen pretty decent versions for around $20.00 at garage sales. Seems like a decent one can be around $50.00 new, which would be worth it for me to get some garden time.

Jlhart. That's a neat idea. I bet you could use a battery pack and an LED and make it more portable.

We don't have exterior lighting at all.

I use a headlamp (like a miner's headlight). My husband bought one for work and I've fallen in love with it. Hands-free lighting right where I'm looking. About $24 according to hubs. Very bright. Brighter than an LED campsite lantern.

Here's a video on how to make. Pretty simple concept.

https://youtu.be/bWzSEI45Cvg

These are all very good ideas! I love the light bucket! But the headlamp would probably be more practical.

Dawn - yeah, I leave my lights on the plants 24/7 and some times I wonder if it isn't effecting their growth. I imagine poor little plants in there going, "this is the longest day ever!"..LOL

Ezzirah, It probably isn't helping them. They need a rest period of darkness just like we people do.

Maybe you could weed monthly on the night of the full moon.

Dawn

Dawn - Weed monthly? I would love to just weed monthly. I am even this year going to try to find a stash of news papers to place down between the rows to help keep weeds at bay. I think because I am so close to my neighbors who don't take care of their yards that weed seed blows in on the wind from them. I think once I get all my beds completely established then that may be possible.

Weeding monthly is a nice thought. I was just thinking you could let Mother Nature provide the lighting for you naturally.

I think weed seeds just blow around wildly no matter where you live. Because our property slopes downhill and the neighbor's pasture is higher, I even get seeds (and often soil) washing into my garden when it rains, especially when it rains hard. I doubt we'll ever be anything remotely close to weed-free, but heavy mulching does help a lot. Sometimes I feel like all I do in early spring is weed and mulch, weed and mulch, weed and mulch. Eventually, though, the mulch is over the entire garden thickly enough to prevent new weeds from emerging, more or less. I don't mind weeding and do a pretty good job of keeping up with it until I have a close encounter with a venomous snake. After that, all bets are off. As long as that snake is on my mind, I don't want to stick my hand into any place to pull weeds.

is anyone else amazed how many garden at night?

No. I gardened at night when I lived in the city and worked full-time during the daylight hours. The only creatures I was likely to run into was frogs and toads, and very rarely, an occasional possum. I'd still garden at night if I wasn't in such a rural area.....when you're out there at night you don't get sunburned and it isn't nearly as hot in summer, and if you work all day, night is what you're left with too.

I intend to be outside all day (but not all night) today and tomorrow as well trying to get as much done as possible before the big multi-day rainfall event begins. We need the moisture, but I'm already dreading being kept out of the garden by several days of rain, followed by too much mud.