Outdoor clocks will enhance the look and style of your garden

As a garden feature for deck or patio outdoor clocks are very popular and most home and garden decor and garden suppliers stock a wide range of them.

Outdoor clocks are, of course, not new. They have been around for hundreds of years. Long before mechanical clocks were introduced.The outdoor clock was known as a sundial.

These clocks could be found on municipal and church buildings from at least medieval times in Europe, and were used as far back as antiquity in Egyptian, Roman and Greek culture.

Sundials as outdoor clocks had their limitations. They didn’t work if it was cloudy because the sun couldn’t cast its shadow. Nor, of course, did they work at night.

They were not very practical on the side of buildings because when the sun went away from where the sundial was placed it became useless. That’s why most sundials are placed in an open areas that gets sun all day long.

With modern outdoor clocks this is not a problem. You can situate them anywhere and they will tell you the time whether it’s sunny, cloudy or the middle of the night.

Modern technology has made outdoor clocks very accurate and reliable. The most reliable is the atomic clock which is accurate to the smallest millisecond imaginable.

There’s also a wide range of styles that you can match to your garden decor. Traditional outdoor clocks in wood, terracotta or brass look good in a more traditional setting whereas modern chrome clocks would suit a modern garden setting.

Terracotta clocks are a good choice for most types of garden. They come in different choices of colors and glazes. Many are decorated with attractive garden related motifs and designs.

When choosing your outdoor clock ensure it is weather proof and will function properly in either sub-zero temperatures and extreme heat or whatever is appropriate weather conditions for your area.

Also make sure your clocks have secure and adequate fixings that will not easily corrode or rust.

When deciding where to place your clock put it somewhere it can be easily seen and readily accessible so that when you need to change the battery or clean and maintain it you can get to it quickly and easily.

Bear in mind, however, that if you clock is too easily seen and accessible it might become a target for thieves. So if it’s valuable make sure you’ve got it properly insured.

Avoid putting your clock where they will get battered by heavy rain and strong winds. A sheltered wall under an overhang is ideal. And make sure they are securely attached to a flat surface such as a fence or shed.

Attaching it to a tree is not a particularly good idea. This could damage the tree and as the tree grows your clock will move upwards. Also trees do not provide a stable, secure and flat surface for your clock which could be damaged in bad weather conditions.