Don't Waste Time, Look For These Features When Picking An Outdoor Clock

We've come a long way from sundials for telling the time when doing yard work or gardening. Today, we consult analog wristwatches, digital smartwatches, or the phones we instinctively thrust into our pockets as we head out the door. For those of us who pine for something a little more traditional but still practical and accurate, there's the outdoor clock. Not all wall-mounted backyard timekeepers are made equal, however. You need something with quality mechanics protected by a weatherproof case. The clock face needs large numerals in an easy-to-read font so you can check the time even while trimming the vine covering your fence. And, of course, you want something that complements your existing backyard decor.

Mounting a big outdoor clock in a convenient location means you don't have to down garden tools or leave the pool and head back inside just to check the time. Some clocks also come with handy climate analysis features. Keeping track of things like drops in air pressure or changes in temperature might mean the difference between getting caught in a rainstorm or asking someone to bring you a sweater on their way outside. Then there are the aesthetic considerations. Did we mention they look great? There are even some pretty weird benefits to installing an outdoor clock. For example, garden moles will be a thing of the past with one unexpected device ... Yup, it's a clock — specifically an alarm clock, but still.

A clock body crafted from waterproof materials like plastic or rust-resistant metals like stainless steel and aluminum will better resist the weather extremes an outdoor clock is likely to encounter. Likewise, the face of a good garden timekeeper is protected by a transparent sealed glass or plastic case, which, coincidentally, also helps protect the mechanism inside. Most modern clocks, whether designed to be used outdoors or in, have a quartz movement. They're cheap but highly accurate and, like any electronic system, are sensitive to humidity and dust. (Digital clocks are even more sensitive, which is why almost all outdoor clocks are analog.) Whatever the movement is housed in should be sealed from the outside environment. Look for outdoor clocks that are labeled as water-resistant. If it's not, consider whether you could do it yourself with outdoor-grade silicone caulk.

Usually, the reason for having a garden clock is so you can keep an eye on how long you've been outside. You want to be able to read the numbers and see the hands as much from the vegetable beds way at the back of your property as from your sun lounger on the poolside patio. The clock face should be big (most outdoor clocks measure somewhere between 16 and 18 inches in diameter), and the numerals and hands prominent and, ideally, black. Bonus if the clock face lights up at night.

Power options include battery-run (the most common option), electrical socket plug-in, or, less commonly, solar-powered outdoor clocks. Of the battery-powered clocks, clocks that use lithium-ion and zinc-carbon batteries are likely to last the longest — you could get up to a year before fresh batteries are required. Consider, too, how the clock is mounted. Do you want something you affix to the wall or mount on a pole? Is the spot you hang it sheltered (making good weatherproofing less of a requirement) or exposed?

Extra features helpful for determining current or future weather conditions, like a barometer for air pressure, hygrometer for humidity, and a thermometer for temperature, aren't essential, but could be helpful. These clocks are, however, often considerably more expensive. Walmart sells an 18-inch Bulova Weather Master wall clock with thermometer and hygrometer for over $200.

If you've checked all the essential boxes, there's only one thing left to consider: aesthetics. This Backyard Creations outdoor pedestal clock for just over $160 at Menards is English cottage garden clock-sonified. This colorful butterfly-adorned 15-inch outdoor timekeeper, $40 on Amazon, would put a maximalist spin on your garden. This $75 bronzed aluminum option from Simply Clock, with Roman numerals and a traditional sunface motif, gives off Mediterranean vibes. You could also get creative with stuff you already have. For example, repurpose pots and pans to use in your house and garden by turning them into a wall clock.