1. A long-handled standing weeder that’ll make clearing away those rogue dandelions easier than ever — you don’t even need to bend over!
Amazon
Grampa’s Weeder is a family-owned small business that’s home to a standing weeder design that’s been around since 1913.
Made with a bamboo handle and powder-coated steel, it uses a simple lever system to make weeding easy.
Promising review: “Oh my god, I friggin’ love this tool. I bought this on a whim, given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy, has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard, and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weeds was strangely satisfying! I don’t think anyone can say that weeding is fun, but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled.” —JG
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
2. Plus, a crack weeder tool for when you’re simply unable to ignore all those leafy weeds that manage to slip in through cracks in the concrete against all odds.
Promising review: “I’ve been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I’ve been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn’t help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort, but the end result was so worth it!” —Shelley Arakaki
Get it from Amazon for $22.95.
3. A scrub-free mold and mildew stain remover to take care of your nastiest cleaning challenges in seconds. Just spray the ready-made formula and watch stubborn stains and odors ~disappear~ right before your eyes.
RMR Brands is a small business that launched in 2013 creating powerful cleaning solutions for your toughest messes.
Promising review: “I used this product on my vinyl siding on my house which was covered with green mildew. Within 15 seconds (as advertised) the mildew was disappearing literally before my eyes. I rinsed the siding off with water and my house looks like the siding was brand-new. THIS PRODUCT REALLY WORKS! Note: wear clothing that you can dispose of afterward, it will take the color out of fabric quickly if you get it on your clothing.” —Ron
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes).
4. A set of metal hanging flower pots if you have a fence, deck railing, or trellis in need of some zhuzhing.
Promising review: “Lovely colorful flower pots. Perfect size to hold a single flower, and they add such a nice pop of color to my yard. Very easy to hang up, no hardware required! I’m getting a lot of compliments on them. I bought several sets and planted bright flowers in them. I have them lining the inside of my yard and on the front of the house. They add a lot of cheer and homeyness for a simple and cheap project.” —Maegan
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $18.99 (available in multicolor, black, and white).
5. A fast-acting lawn repair formula because your dog’s peeing, playing, and digging have wreaked havoc on your yard. This easy-to-use combination of grass seeds, mulch, and soil amendment is specifically designed to repair pet-induced damage and get new grass growing ASAP.
Promising review: “I used this in the spring to fill out our lawn more, and it worked great! I was worried because I feel like you always hear grass seed horror stories, but I just raked our lawn good, spread seeds all over, and watered it once (sometimes twice) per day, and it filled the lawn in beautifully!” —Mariah
Get it from Amazon for $19.84+ (available in five sizes).
6. And a fully assembled Scotts seed spreader for getting a quick, even spread of grass seed and fertilizer with practically no effort at all.
Promising review: “This model is definitely a cut above the other spreaders made by Scotts. It is quite well constructed and has lots of nice features, like a large hopper, four drop holes, and dual spreader mechanisms. The wheels on this are very nice as well, and the edge guard feature works well. Very easy and effective to use and should provide years of use if maintained properly. Beats the pants off of every other spreader I have used. And it’s attractive to boot!” —Gila Monster
Get it from Amazon for $44.98+ (available in four styles).
7. A reusable Scumbug sponge because it seems gimmicky until you watch it successfully slurp up all the oils, sunscreen, and grime that’s accumulated in your pool or hot tub. When it gets discolored, just give it a rinse and pop it back in for more cleaning action.
Promising review: “Scummy water bugging you? I just got this gem of a product last night. I popped it into my hot tub, and from the picture I attached, you can see that in just about 12 hours, this little Scumbug ate up all the oil and filth in the hot tub. The water not only looks better but smells better, too! Highly recommended!” —Mickey D.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.99.
8. A hard water stain remover that’ll take care of the questionable film making your window glass look permanently foggy. Side effects might include running into your nearly invisible sliding glass door — it’ll be that clean.
It also works on a wide range of surfaces, including stainless steel, brass, aluminum, hard vinyl, chrome, and more.
Promising review: “This product works great! I was surprised by the way it cleaned the old (at least 3-year-old water stains) off my patio doors! I put some product on a sponge and rubbed it on the window, and then wiped it off with a wet towel, and the spots were gone! I tested a small area and was amazed at how easily it worked. I tried different products, which did not work. This is a great product!” —Randy B.
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
9. A pack of polished vinyl siding hooks so you can dress up that blank canvas and finally hang up the planter, sculpture, or sign you bought months ago, but didn’t know how to hang without doing permanent damage to your siding. The answer? These durable hooks that slide right into the seams with no tools required.
Promising review: “I had previously ordered hooks for siding, and I couldn’t use them. But these are great!! They are easy to ‘slide’ into the siding and are pretty sturdy, too. I am using three from this set and have hung different objects with them. The heaviest was a long welcome sign! You won’t be dissatisfied by ordering them.” —Cheryl
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $6.70 (also available in larger multipacks).
10. A sturdy lockable storage box to hide away miscellaneous clutter like pool toys, yard tools, and patio cushions in secure, weatherproofed protection. Plenty of reviewers also use it on their front porches to protect packages!
Promising review: “It stays dry inside even with snow! This is a great little patio box. It was easy to assemble and seemed sturdy. It has done a great job surviving a Colorado winter and keeping all my items dry. I am pleased with this guy.” —Kristin
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in four sizes and three colors).
11. A waterproof outdoor curtain if your open-air space is a little too *exposed* for your liking. Put a little something-something between you, your neighbors, and the elements with top-notch light-blocking and insulation that repels heat and cold for an optimally comfy outdoor hang.
Pick up a sturdy, rust-resistant curtain rod while you’re at it!
Promising review: “These curtains are AMAZING! Beautiful and elegant. Hangs beautiful, very light blocking, keeps rain out of our tiki bar, we can sit out there in the rain, and keeps the heat in on a cool fall evening when we have the fireplace on!” —Sara Bushendorf
Get it from Amazon for $20.95+ (available in 10 sizes and 16 colors).
12. Or a panel of faux ivy vines for bringing similar levels of privacy and shade to your outdoor space with a more au naturale look and feel. That chainlink fence you despise? The perfect canvas for some sprawling greenery.
Snag some green zip ties, and you’re ready for easy, tool-free installation!
Promising review: “I ordered two of these faux-ivy panels to cover up the large wooden fence surrounding my patio. I needed some greenery to balance all the industrial materials and urban landscape. I am very pleased with the outcome!! The panels have been up for a few weeks and have withstood several rain showers and some harsh winds with no problems. Great purchase!” —Myia E.
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three sizes).
13. An electric pressure washer because sometimes the only refresh your outdoor space needs is a powerful deep clean to wash all that built-up grime. Oh, did you paint the fence? No!!! You just cleaned it for the first time in forever.
This pressure washer has a powerful 1,800-watt motor, two on-board detergent tanks, and five quick-connect spray tips.
Promising review: “Pressure washer is very easy to use. It’s not heavy, and since it has wheels, it is very easy to move around. Compared to other pressure washers I have used, this one is my favorite, and it’s powerful.” —Martinez
Get it from Amazon for $199.
14. Or a stain-busting Wet & Forget exterior spray so you can skip the pressure washer and still tackle tough stains with minimal effort. Just spray down virtually any surface — no additional rinsing required!
Promising review: “Love the fact that you just spray and let it do its thing. No rinse-off or anything. My outdoor rugs were a little drab after the winter, and this brought them back to like. No scrubbing either. Worked well.” —Chasing Fireflies
Get it from Amazon for $20.64 (also available in multipacks).
15. Plus, some heavy-duty outdoor cleaning wipes if you need a gentler option to spruce up parts of your outdoor space, like the glass table that’s coated in pollen or the “Chill & Grill” sign you bought on vacation last year.
16. A printed outdoor area rug that’ll cozy up your outdoor oasis without being a pain to maintain and clean. It’s durable and fast-drying so you can just rinse it with a garden hose!
17. A 4-in-1 soil moisture meter to help you figure out why your grass is browning or your flowerbed is wilting. This simple-to-use gadget can measure soil’s moisture, as well as nutrient, pH, and light levels in just a few minutes.
Promising review: “This is my first year gardening with crops and flowers. Our home came with two raised garden beds out in the field. However, the beds were closed down and covered with a tarp, bricks, water buildup, etc. This soil meter helped me discover what was needed and if I could use what was already there. I’m excited to use it again after my first composting experience, too.” —Taylor Wingfield
Get it from Amazon for $15.99.
18. And now that you’re a soil whisperer, a massive pack of wildflower seeds if your monochromatic green lawn could use some livening up with a diverse array of blooms even beginner gardeners can easily grow.
Promising review: “It is early July, and I could not be more pleased with this seed mixture. Almost every day since April, I have had new surprises in my garden. I have enjoyed alyssum, Chinese forget-me-not, zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds. I am beginning to see more forget-me-nots, poppies, pineapple sage, and Armeria. I am a beekeeper and, hence, was trying to plant some flowers the bees would like. I have an unbelievable number of pollinators busy among the flowers all day long. Today, I saw a hummingbird!! I am hoping to have these flowers self-seed and to have even more lovelies next year!” —Bio Teacher
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in multiple pack sizes and as annuals or perennials).
19. A can of versatile anti-skid acrylic paint because it’s designed to adhere to most surfaces so you can give everything from those dingy brick steps to your concrete patio the functional face-lift it needs.
Promising review: “I tried several paints on my mom’s deck stairs, and they all peeled within a year. This paint solved the problem. Heat, sun, rain, snow, no problem. And it really adds a nice grip to the surface. Definitely worth the investment for me.” —DL
Get it from Amazon for $42.50+ (available in two sizes and six colors).
20. A famous Little Green upholstery cleaner for anyone looking to be shocked and awed by this machine’s ability to suck up serious messes, restoring cushions and carpets to their former glory.
Promising review: “Had purple berry stain dried on patio upholstery, and this took it out, following directions to pre-soak for five minutes. Amazing. I also had dog diarrhea on the carpet, and it came right out. Suction removed cleaning solution very, very well. Easy to clean unit and ergonomic handle easy to use. Really great product. Hope it lasts.” —Judi
Get it from Amazon for $123.59.
21. An all-in-one wood stain and sealer with what they call “goof proof” application, so you can look like a pro and transform your fence, deck, shed, bench, or any other of your home’s wooden wonders with ease.
Be sure to give it around 14 days to settle into its true color — it’ll look darker shortly after application.
Promising review: “Applied two coats to a pressure-treated deck. Goes on effortlessly with a brush or roller. Spilled drops and brush strokes blend together. Absorbs into wood. Dark Walnut color goes on darker and lightens some. Repels water well. Nothing here that is going to peel up and flake off like some products that claim to last for 5+ years but only hold up a year or two.” —Jricky
Get it from Amazon for $44.55+ (available in two sizes and nine shades).
22. A pack of four motion-activated lights that has built-in solar panels to tackle those dark trouble spots around your home’s exterior. If you’re tired of tripping up the front stairs or standing in a pitch-black yard while taking out the dog, these solar-powered lights are your solution.
Promising review: “I purchased these to cover the side of my house. Installation was easy, and I left them outside for two days to charge. The light coverage was about what I expected from them, and do the job well. The motion sensitivity covers all the sides, and the lights turn on. It has rained about three times and still works great, and hoping they last for a long time.” —J. Argueta
Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.99.
23. And a pack of solar-powered stake lights for shedding some light on your too-dark walkway. Instead of worrying about spraining an ankle in the dead of night, you can enjoy one of two exciting light modes — multicolored or classic white!
Promising review: “These are incredible!! I like using the color feature in winter when it’s drab outside, but once my gardens bloom, I stick to white. I have purchased these five times, and it’s going to be six. I bought the first set two years ago and just purchased my newest set. I put the old ones right next to the sets I just purchased and had never changed the batteries on the original ones…they were still bright so I never needed to. They are beautiful!!” —mosey
Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $49.99 (also available in packs of two and six).
24. A set of interlocking teak wood tiles if your yard feels more like an industrial wasteland than an outdoor oasis. These tiles easily cover up most any hard surface and require ZERO tools to install, making them a perfect option for your neglected rental patio.
Promising review: “Living in Hawaii you have to select wise items that are weather-, salt-, and red dirt–proof, etc…In total, I ordered 11 boxes to complete my yoga deck. I have a few left over to make steps on the back. Very pleased and happy. May order more for an outdoor shower project!” —Adelia
Get 10 sq. ft from Amazon for $81.98.
25. A ceramic windproof ash tray because it’ll hide away stray cigarette butts in a stylish piece that actually enhances your outdoor space, instead of detracting from it.
Promising review: “I’ve had this for about three months, and still, everything about this ashtray is perfect. It looks nice, feels like quality ceramic, and holds a decent amount of butts. Just note if you have this outside even with the lid on, rain will get in if you’re not under an overhang.” —Myles Wagner
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in seven colors).
26. A wedge gutter scoop so you can spare your hands from the terrifying sludge fest going on in your gutters and get all those dead leaves and mud out of there without, ya know, actually touching it.
Amazon
Promising review: “Great tool and time saver. Used for the first time yesterday, and it worked great. It scoops up dirt buildup and leaves easily. Well built and sturdy. Did the whole house in record time. It helps to pack leaves in the scoop before removal. It is necessary to tilt toward the roof to get past shingles. Very happy with my purchase.” —Chuck E.
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
27. A high-voltage bug zapper that’ll prevent you from constantly swatting and getting eaten alive by bugs while trying to enjoy the weather. This little lantern offers top-notch protection from mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and moths for up to a half acre.
Promising review: “Was instantaneous results. Once the light came on, anything flying was immediately drawn to it. I only ran for less than an hour and needed to clean the catcher bowl. Great product, especially in south Florida where mosquitoes are immune to every spray that’s been created.” —Glu Mobile
Get it from Amazon for $35.99.
28. Plus, an adhesive garbage guard because your yard is awash in flies, and you’re pretty sure the trash is to blame. Apply one of these to the inside of your bin lid and it’ll slowly diffuse vapor that kills bugs while preventing new infestations.
Thanks to controlled release tech, one of these lasts for four months!
Promising review: “Got an outdoor can, the kind the mechanical arm on the garbage truck picks up and tips over, with the lid opening by gravity. I placed this on the inside of the lid, near the hinge, to lessen the chances of it being scraped off during emptying, and no flies/maggots! No apparent odor. It just seems to put a big hurt on the fly party that used to be my trash can (litter box contents, remnants of meat, etc.). ” —Michael E. Bradley
Get it from Amazon for $9.84.
29. Some coconut husk mulch to freshen up dreary, dried-up flowerbeds with a rich, rust color mulch that actually absorbs water and won’t float away next time you’re treated to a heavy rain.
This mulch comes in a dehydrated brick that expands to cover an area of roughly two cubic feet after hydrating with four gallons of water.
Promising review: “I love that I can carry the mulch brick easily to where I am going to spread the mulch, hydrate it in my garden cart or drug right there, and spread it easily. Beautiful color holds up well. Great in my raised bed garden; not a weed in sight. Wish it were possible to buy bulk quantities at a discount, as it’s quite pricey if you want to do larger areas at 3″ depth. Still, beautiful mulch that I will keep buying.” —Sybilann Williams
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $39.99.
30. A pop-up leaf collector for making quick work of the tedious task of collecting all the grass clippings, leaves, and branches strewn across the yard. When you’re done, fold this tarp like a taco to make transferring it all into the trash a breeze.
Amazon
Plus, it folds up into the included carrying case for easy storage in the off-season.
Promising review: “I was able to pick up my leaves in record time using this leaf collector. I wish I had known about it years ago. It would have saved me so much money hiring people to do my leaves. I have told everyone I know about this product. They are all amazed when they see the video I did showing how I raked the leaves on the leaf collector. Folded up the ends like a taco, put it in the bag, and released. SO EASY! Absolutely worth the money.” —Ronnie
Get it from Amazon for $27.95.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
