With spring flowers blooming and fresh planting underway, don’t just stop at seeds—give your garden the complete smart-tech upgrade with these handy gadgets.

Backyard Revamp
Thomas J. Story

Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Timer

Orbit B-hyve XR Smart Sprinkler Timer


Courtesy of B-hyve

This sprinkler timer (pictured above) features a powerful new 900 MHz radio for better connectivity to your Wi-Fi and other smart products. The XR packs easier setup and a sleek new exterior, and will support 8- and 16-zone yards. 

Sprinkler Timer, $99 from B-hyve

Ring Battery-Powered Step Lights

Ring Battery-Powered Step Lights


Courtesy of Ring

Interested in adding step lights to your yard, but don’t want to add wiring? Ring’s step lights are battery-powered and motion-activated. 

Battery-Powered Step Lights, $25 from Ring

Flume Smart Water System 

Flume Smart Water System

Courtesy of Flume

Most water meters are connected to your pipes, but not this one. The Flume easily wraps around your existing water meter to track water flow, so you can find out about leaks anywhere in your home or yard faster than ever. 

Smart Water System, $199 from Flume

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera 

Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera

Courtesy of Arlo

Arlo is known for its wire-free cameras, and its new Pro 3 Floodlight is a two-in-one floodlight and security camera for your front yard. The rechargeable battery makes it wireless and easy to install.

Pro 3 Floodlight Camera, $250 from Arlo

Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub 

Weber Connect Smart Grilling Hub

Courtesy of Weber

Smart cooking hits the outdoors through Weber’s collaboration with the June Oven. Their new smart hub has four grill-proof thermometers that connect with an app to let you check up to four different protein temperatures and track when they’ll be done. 

Smart Grilling Hub, $130 from Weber

Netatmo Smart Rain Gauge

Netatmo Smart Rain Gauge


Courtesy of Netatmo

Track rain data and get real-time readings on exactly how much it rained at your home to determine whether you need to water your plants or if they’ve already been watered enough. 

Smart Rain Gauge, $80 from Netatmo

Work Smarter 

Garden better than ever with handy apps. 

Gardenize 

Keep track of all the plants and flowers in your yard with this app, from where in your yard they grow to how regularly each needs water. 

Garden Answers Plant ID

Ever walk by a beautiful flower or cool plant you want to grow in your garden, but don’t know what it is? Take a photo and find out with this handy app

Weather Underground 

Microclimate is key for gardens, and this weather app localizes weather down to the neighborhood so you can be perfectly prepared for the coming showers, hail, or anything else.