Crops (at least wheat and pumpkin crops) grow at night if the sky light shown in F3 is 9 or greater. Time of day doesn't change this. Prior to 1.11, wheat did not grow at midnight even at sky light of 15.
This seems to have changed somewhere between 1.11.2 and 1.13.2.
Because this behavior was changed so long ago, it's likely considered working as intended now, and if so, please close this ticket accordingly.
Reference: this discussion
I am not sure I understand this correctly. Are you affirming that crops did not grow at midnight at all or did they grow only with sufficient block light?
Edit: Nevermind, I understand now. Can confirm.