10 Backyard Additions to Make Before Summer
Summer is almost here, and the right backyard upgrades can make the difference between a season spent indoors and one lived outside.
From pizza ovens to solar lighting, there is no shortage of ways to turn a basic yard into a functional living space without taking on a major renovation. Some additions require assembly, others just a credit card.
Here are 10 products worth considering before the heat settles in.
A pizza oven that hits 950 degrees
The Gozney Arc XL brings restaurant-level performance to a home patio. It uses a lateral gas burner to mimic the rolling flame of a wood-fired oven, turning out 16-inch pizzas in about 60 seconds. The oven reaches temperatures up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit and has a thick 20-millimeter stone floor with a built-in digital thermometer for precise heat control.
For smaller spaces, a 12-inch version also exists.
A shade umbrella that does not need a center pole
The Purple Leaf Double-Top 360-Degree Cantilever Umbrella was the top pick in a recent test of cantilever umbrellas. Its dual canopy is made from UV-resistant polyester that handles wind up to 20 miles per hour. A foot pedal adjusts the tilt for 360 degrees of rotation.
The weighted base is sold separately.
Related: How to extend your downspout to right length
A portable misting fan that drops temps by 5 degrees
Weighing just 5 pounds and roughly the size of a basketball, the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo Pro is a portable misting fan designed for travel. The fan uses dry-touch evaporative mist to lower surrounding temperatures by as much as 5 degrees Fahrenheit, drawing water from an integrated tank. It has five speed settings, a BreezeBoost mode, and can run up to 29 hours on battery. The device retails for $149.99.
A galvanized stock tank pool for a weekend project
The CountyLine 390-gallon stock tank is made from rust-resistant galvanized steel with reinforced 360-degree ribbing and smooth edges. It is designed for DIY pool builders. Pair it with a standard pump and a slow-release chlorine dispenser to create a cool, easy-to-clean oasis. The tank is available at Tractor Supply Co. for $359.99. A full build guide is available online.
A raised garden bed that eliminates bending
The Veikous Large Cedar Wood Raised Garden Bed stands 28.5 inches tall, which means no squatting or bending. It holds up to 837 pounds and offers 9.59 cubic feet of potting space with a 13.7-inch depth — enough for root vegetables like carrots and onions. It has slat-based drainage gaps and comes with a fabric liner. The garden bed is priced at $149.00.
A smart irrigation system that handles 4,800 square feet
The Aiper IrriSense 2 combines a controller, sprinkler, electric valve, and nutrient feeder into a single tower. It earned a 4.9/5 rating in hands-on testing for its fast setup and accurate zone mapping.
The system covers up to 4,800 square feet and uses weather detection to skip watering during rain or high winds. It goes for $399.99.
A bird feeder with AI that identifies 6,000 species
The Birdify Metal 2 bird feeder comes with a 4K sensor and a 120-degree wide-angle lens. Its built-in OrniSense AI can identify over 6,000 bird species and send facts about each one — no subscription required. The IP66 waterproof metal housing protects the 1.8-liter seed hopper from squirrels, and the 9000mAh battery is solar-powered for continuous operation.
The feeder is priced at $259.99.
Related: Home Depot drops power tools to clearance during Ryobi Days
A dual-zone beverage cooler for the patio
The Tylza Outdoor Dual-Zone Drawer Beverage Cooler is built from 304 stainless steel with an IPX4 waterproof rating. It can be installed as a built-in or freestanding unit. The self-closing drawers operate silently at 30 to 40 decibels, and each drawer can be set between 37 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It holds up to 145 standard cans plus snacks.
The cooler is available at Amazon for $749.99.
Solar string lights that do not need an outlet
The Brightech Ambience Pro Solar String Lights topped the list in a test of solar string lights. This 27-foot commercial-grade strand has 12 shatterproof Edison bulbs that cast a warm, vintage glow across a 20-foot area. In hands-on testing, the oversize solar panel stored enough power for 5 to 6 hours of nightly operation.
The lights start at $26.52.
A smokeless fire pit that uses wood pellets
The Pit Boss smokeless fire pit impressed testers with one of the hottest smoke-free burns. It weighs 34.4 pounds and uses a double-wall steel design with a high-temperature black sand finish. While it works with wood chips or chunks, the clean output from pellets produces only about half as much ash as logs. Anyone with a pellet grill already has all the fuel needed.
The fire pit is priced at $160.80.
