Spring is known as “the season of new beginnings,” so there’s no better time than now to change up the way you do a few things in your day-to-day life and, even better, solve some pesky problems in the process.

Weatherman Umbrella
Spring showers — no problem! When one of the nation’s most trusted meteorologists, Rick Reichmuth, was unable to find an umbrella that met his standards, he set out to design his own — and so the Weatherman was born. It’s an umbrella that matches top-quality materials and craftsmanship with smart technology through an original, meteorologist-led design. The durable umbrella is made from hand-sewn panels with fiberglass ribs, allowing it to stand up to extreme weather — even 55-mph winds. The Weatherman app pairs with a Pebblebee Bluetooth Tracker to detect the forecast and then provides alerts for when you should to take your Weatherman with you while you’re out and about. An embedded tracker finder also ensures you always know where to find your umbrella when you need it, guaranteeing that you’ll never lose your Weatherman. $59, weathermanumbrella.com.

Scotts Gro 7-Zone Controller
The smart home has made its way outdoors! Now you can monitor your sprinkler system and easily control water flow to seven different zones from your phone or other devices, reducing the problem of over- or under-watering your lawn. The new Gro 7-Zone Controller from Scotts simplifies your life by using real-time local weather data to automatically tailor irrigation schedules to your specific lawn and plant-watering needs. Just replace your old controller with this device to monitor, schedule changes and manage your sprinklers through the company’s Gro Connect app. $149.99, MyGro.com.

Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Kit
Energy-saving smart lighting has never been more affordable or convenient thanks to the Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Kit by Lutron. With it, you can control lights and shades from anywhere. You can control the entire system with a smartphone, tablet or even voice control systems like Siri and Alexa. It also works seamlessly with other smart home products like Sonos speakers and Nest thermostats to create a connected experience. The system can also be controlled from around corners or through walls, making it very reliable. $99.95, Amazon.com.

Nectar Memory Foam Mattress
Sleep tighter and wake more refreshed this spring with the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. It is a premium memory foam mattress at an affordable price that gives the support of a firm mattress with the comfort of a soft pillow-top. The mattress features a Tencel Cooling Cover, which makes it more breathable, softer and better at absorbing moisture than premium cotton. It also contains two layers of gel memory foam to help the mattress circulate air, distribute weight and contour to your specific body type. It will arrive directly to your home completely free of charge and comes with a full 365-night home trial. Nectar also guarantees the mattress for as long as you own it. Starting at $500, NectarSleep.com.

Merilee Kern