When you should have a cookout in Massachusetts

When the sun is blazing and the summer gets hot, your backyard could be a very cool spot if you throw a hell of a cookout .

Why it matters: Everyone loves a cookout, and according to an analysis of historical weather data, the ideal day to plan your backyard barbeque around Boston is Friday, July 26.

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• Culinary website Pantry and Larder crunched the numbers to find the date most likely to have a maximum "feels-like" temperature of 88°F, minimal chance of rain or clouds and a late sunset.

Data: Pantry and Larder; Note: Ideal conditions defined as a late sunset, maximum "feels-like" temperature of 88°F, minimal chance of rain, 25% cloud cover and a slight breeze; Map: Axios Visuals

Zoom in: The July 27-28 weekend is after the hustle and bustle of Independence Day and not quite into the dog days of August.

• It's probably going to be hot, but that's what the cool beverages are for.
• Plus, the Red Sox host a three-game homestand against the Yankees that weekend.

It's not news that cookouts are popular, but fancy "food and drink stations" for entertaining outside have become a hot backyard upgrade, custom architects nationwide say.

The big picture: Nearly a third of custom homes designed in the past year include an outdoor kitchen, according to a new survey by Residential Design magazine and John Burns Research and Consulting.

• Beverage fridges, grills and fire pits are some of the most common al fresco features.

Data: Taskrabbit; Chart: Axios Visuals

Yes, but: You don't need to devote tons of your own time and money to spruce up the backyard.

• Taskrabbit backyard bookings climbed 12% through April compared to the same time period in 2023, per data from the gig marketplace.

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