The best backyard tech: Check out robot lawn mowers, weed whackers, smart sprinklers

If my backyard had a cozy bed, no bugs, and a Superdome-style retractable roof for the rare times it rains these days in the San Francisco Bay Area, I would sleep there. 

I’ve always loved being outdoors, but it seems like since the pandemic, fresh air has never quite felt so good. And since my current home sits squarely in an urban, industrial, more-cement-than-trees area, I rely on my little slice of outdoor space to keep my spirits up. 

Turns out, I’m not alone. A recent survey commissioned by the International Casual Furnishings Association shows 90% of Americans report outdoor living space is more valuable than ever before. 

Hot summer tech trend: Outdoor upgrades

“Volumes of scientific research prove the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in nature,” Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance and executive director of its outdoor division, said over the phone. “When the COVID-19 pandemic kept the majority of us at home, nearly all Americans with outdoor living space took greater advantage of their decks, porches, and patios, and will continue to upgrade those spaces this summer.”