Anyone that spends any time outdoors knows that it is frustrating not being able check any of the dozens of clocks available indoors. But in addition to solving the problem of knowing the time while spending time on the patio or deck, garden clocks can add some style and personality to your space. It can even add a focal point to your outdoor decor.
Many people leave watches and cell phones indoors while working in the garden, playing in the pool, or just sipping a cool drink on a pleasant day. A garden clock is very convenient at times like this.
The style of your outdoor space may dictate the style of your clock. Formal patios may need a more formal clock with something like roman numerals. Round clocks are obviously the most common type, but there are other shapes that can add a bit of whimsy to your space.
Some garden clocks contain additional features like a thermometer to measure the temperature, a hygrometer to measure humidity, a barometer to measure atmospheric pressure, or even a weathervane for wind direction. All these options will change the look and feel of your outdoor space.
You can hang your clock on an exterior wall under the eaves to give a little bit of protection or buy a free-standing clock as an accent piece.
Do be sure to buy a clock that is especially suited to being outdoors. They are usually more protectively sealed than your typical indoor clock and will hold up to the elements better.
Alkaline batteries or quartz batteries ought to work just fine for most garden clocks. For the environmentally conscious among us (or just the plain lazy) there are solar-powered clocks that can store the daytime energy in a battery overnight. This will prolong the use of the batteries as well as be kind to Mother Earth.
If you’ve really got some money to spend and want the best, check out atomic radio controlled clocks. They synchronize with the Colorado-based U.S. atomic clock. These are by far the most accurate clocks and will set themselves, even changing for daylight savings time.