After another solstice, summer is officially here—and that means long days and cool nights for some much-needed outdoor work at home. From sunup to sundown, these half-dozen projects will help you make use of the longest summer days without cooking yourself in the process. —Roy Berendsohn

___ Wash your deck, patio furniture and even house siding in the morning or late afternoon, when it’s a bit cooler and the water has less tendency to suddenly evaporate off the siding.

___ Prune and shape yew or boxwood hedges. Soft, late-afternoon light makes it easier to see the plant’s shape. Cooler temperatures make the work more comfortable and allow you to take your time with the job.

___ Weed those flowerbeds. You’re less likely to overlook weeds when you’re not broiling in direct sun; so again, late afternoon (or early morning) is best for this.

___ While you’re at it, mulch the flowerbeds, too. It’s far easier to do this heavy work at the beginning and end of the day than it is at the middle.

___ Seal your driveway because driveway sealer, like all coatings, spreads best and dries most evenly when it’s not applied in strong direct sunlight. If you’re not a pro, why bother doing this at mid-day? Go after that blacktop when temperatures are cooler but even light is still available.

___ Check low-voltage lighting for even distribution at sundown. Plan on moving lights or adding lights if necessary. Likewise, lay a flashlight on the ground to test illuminate dark areas or to up light landscape features, such as rocks and trees.