[sunshineband]

Interesting how many folk are on this forum late a night!

I agree with you Learner about gardening late into the evening --- you don't realise how dark it is until you go indoors and then back out for one last look around.

Now, at last..... someone who agrees with me!!!

Out on the plot I really don't notice how the light is failing when there's something I want to finish. As you so very rightly say, it's not until I go in the shed to put something away that I realise I have just mintues to find the gate / the key / my junk and flee as it's really getting hard to see. I think eyes adjust so well to gradually failing light it is just plainly hard to notice.

Then I arrive home and..... "What made you stay so late? Didn't you realise how late it was? How can you see in the dark?"

"Carrots of course!"  (Daft question - I can't see in the dark ...that's why I had to come home!!)

have got a tiny torch on my keys as I end up falling over on the way up the path other wise. Jolly useful for searching for lost stuff in the greenhouse too. I have just seen a solar light which might be great for the greenhouse so am  going to check it out. It is £20 bu I am owed a birthday present....... Those that don't ask don't get and yes, I get asked the same question 'What are you actually doing out there? It's dark you know'  ....Like I don't know!

[Paul Plots]

Amazing.... my son bought me a Christmas present and it was well thought out (useful) and I am delighted with it.

I have one of those needs no batteries - pull on the chord rechargeable torches. It cost him a bomb (I know as my father saw it and had to have one too...not tha he goes out in the dark these days!). Great for when you can't see a blnking thing  - it never has dud batteries so always does the job at no cost to run (even better).

I saw solar lights - infact advert in a free magazine that arrived today had them. They need (I think) a set of batteries to re-charge and a good belt of solar radiation. They are worth a thought....especially as a birthday pressie. - Mine soon - when's yours sunshineband? (if you don't mind me asking).

[sunshineband]

Is that the one you have to wind the handle on for ages to get any light? They are exhausting... you must be building up new muscles if it is 

[Paul Plots]

Is that the one you have to wind the handle on for ages to get any light? They are exhausting... you must be building up new muscles if it is 

No wind-up.... it has a pull chord in the base. About 10 pulls and there's plenty of light for ages as it has LEDs rather than traditional bulb. .... so bright it says avoid looking directly at the light!!

[sunshineband]

Is that the one you have to wind the handle on for ages to get any light? They are exhausting... you must be building up new muscles if it is 

No wind-up.... it has a pull chord in the base. About 10 pulls and there's plenty of light for ages as it has LEDs rather than traditional bulb. .... so bright it says avoid looking directly at the light!!

Am really liking the sound of this -- where di he get it?

[JulesJ]

My father (who lives in France and does a fair bit of growing) just told me that "you can plant any time, but you only sow on the full moon and for 15 days after..." He reckons the villagers stick to this religiously and that it really works.

I would've thought the opposite; the waxing moon up to full is associated with growth. The waning moon after full is associated with decrease, so if you're gardening biodynamically, it might make sense to do the weeding then (same with clipping your toenails). Not that I follow any of this myself.

[sunshineband]

Tricky cutting your toe nails by diminishing moonlight .... or is that where your torch comes in handy Learner?

[Paul Plots]

Is that the one you have to wind the handle on for ages to get any light? They are exhausting... you must be building up new muscles if it is 

No wind-up.... it has a pull chord in the base. About 10 pulls and there's plenty of light for ages as it has LEDs rather than traditional bulb. .... so bright it says avoid looking directly at the light!!

Am really liking the sound of this -- where di he get it?

Being careful with the cash I might not have bought it for myself but it came from Millets - Chrissie gift.

They stock several different ones. I think this may have been the cheapest but it certainly is reliable and bright and very useful. I was / am delighted with it. £20!!! But it will probably pay for itself as no batteries ever during the life of torch. It has a magnetic strip underneath so you can stick in place if you have anything iron near by but I find the magnet rather waek. Ignoring this - the torch functions well especially when the light bouces back off of other objects / surfaces i.e. inside the shed! Pull chord clips into base os is not in the way once the torch is "charged". A charge does seem to last a long time..I have not needed to pull the charge chord every time I have used the torch.

Here's hoping, if you choose to have one, that it proves to be as useful to you as I find mind.

Good news for you!! I've just checked and price has dropped to £14.99!! Wish I had waited before getting one for my dad now. Typical.

Follow the link to see the torch model:

http://www.millets.co.uk/product/117662.html

[sunshineband]

Thank you very much Learner -- it looks a bit of a bargain and I have pointed my Oh in this direction very firmly  Let's hope he can take a huge hint like this!

[Stripey_cat]

Does it make a difference to germination what time of day you plant?

After beer o'clock you may have trouble with fine seed.