Better Homes & Gardens is a go-to resource for home ideas, food and recipes for everyday and special occasions, and garden know-how that can’t be rivaled. Our early magazines dealt almost exclusively with garden topics, but as the years—and our name and logo—progressed, we’ve been busy adding to our encyclopedia of home helpers. We built a first-of-its-kind “taste-testing kitchen” in 1928, and by the 1970s, we had over 7 million magazine subscribers. We erected a half-acre test garden in the middle of Des Moines, Iowa, in 1998, and in all the years between filled our pages with ideas for elevating everyday living. Beyond the page, Better Homes & Gardens continues to be a trusted brand for readers around the world, across various platforms. With over 13 million followers across social platforms, a newly launched podcast, The Better Buy, and the second largest licensed brand in the world (License Global), BHG is a leading authority on all things home. In addition to a robust real estate presence, our 20+ year collaboration with Walmart continues to offer a wide range of products (more than 3,000 items!) and in April 2022 we launched our first-ever collaboration with “Fixer to Fabulous’” Dave and Jenny Marrs. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Our Team
Editorial Policy
Our goal is to provide accurate, reliable, credible, engaging, and balanced information online for our readers. Our editorial content is produced independently and without influence by any advertiser or commercial supporter. We source our stories with information experts and they are written by experts in their fields. Online content is defined as text, articles, photos, graphics, audio, video, blogs, user-generated content (UGC), and links.
Content Integrity
We are committed to the quality and trustworthiness of our content and editorial processes. Our team of writers, editors, and photographers rigorously researches and reviews all content on an ongoing basis to ensure it is up to date, accurate, and puts the needs of our readers first. Original illustrations, graphics, images, and videos are created by internal teams, who collaborate with experts in their fields to produce assets that represent diverse voices, perspectives, and contexts. Periodic review by editors as well as by Anti-Bias or other Review Board members as appropriate, ensure the quality, accuracy, and integrity of these assets. Photos and videos are not edited in any way that may cause them to be false or misleading. We correct any factual errors in a transparent manner and strive to make it easy for our readers to bring errors to our attention. Read our full integrity promise including our policies on accuracy and corrections, fact-checking independence and impartiality, and originality here.
Fact Checking
As part of our commitment to content integrity and accuracy, Better Homes & Gardens has a team of experienced fact-checkers providing a vital layer of review on key articles. Each of our fact-checkers is carefully chosen and vetted for their research skills, journalistic integrity, eye for detail, and subject matter expertise. They confirm all statements of fact, statistics, and other data with reputable sources to ensure that the information in our articles is accurate and up to date.
Product Testing
Our team is constantly on the lookout for the latest products and brands to help you create a home that brings you joy. Whether we’re scouring the internet for the best deals of the day, assessing new products in one of our three testing labs, or getting expert tips and suggestions on the best items for your home, our editors choose each product that we recommend with care. We strive to be honest about the products we feature, highlighting what we love but also where we think they could be better. While we purchase most of the products we test ourselves, occasionally we receive items for free to test or sample. We never promise a positive review in exchange for a free product—we wait until we’ve tried it to decide if it’s worth recommending to you. If you buy a product through a link on one of our pages, we may earn a commission through your purchase.
Diversity Pledge
BHG.com believes that individuals deserve respect, representation, and opportunity. We work daily to create content that elevates the voices of talented creatives and experts. We believe in telling personal stories and sharing the unique products behind those creatives and experts. Our goal is to constantly grow and evolve, and we strive for excellence as we help you make your home better every day. We are committed to diversifying our contributor network to amplify BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices, from writers and sources to illustrators, photographers, stylists, and freelance staff who work on our brand. We strive for inclusivity in our editorial coverage and are regularly updating our style guide to avoid problematic terms. We are regularly updating content such as old recipes and legacy home and garden guides and tours through a lens of cultural sensitivity.
Better Homes & Gardens Magazine
Better Homes & Gardens launched in 1922 as Fruit, Garden and Home. The magazine offered informative articles, cooking techniques, and contests. In 1924, the name changed to Better Homes & Gardens, and it was considered one of the “Seven Sisters” women’s service magazines. Throughout the decades, BHG has branched out to cookbooks (the New Cookbook, affectionately called the “Red Plaid Cookbook,” was first published in 1930 and has sold approximately 38 million copies), special interest publications, real estate, television shows, and more. The brand has been one of the most popular media outlets throughout the 20th century. Better Homes & Gardens is published 10 times a year with a rate base of 3 million. It was recently awarded the 2021 FOLIO Eddie Award for Best Consumer, Home & Living magazine for our Stylemaker issue. In a recent survey conducted by Furniture Today, BHG was named the #1 publication by respondents across all age groups who cited magazines as their greatest source of design inspiration.
Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen
The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years (since 1928), developing and testing recipes for home cooks. One goal of the early “Testing-Tasting Kitchen” was to nudge the American public into a more scientific era of cooking, which included an overhaul of how recipes were written. Then and now, the BHG Test Kitchen champions a style of recipe writing that leaves nothing to chance to ensure recipe success. Today, all the cooks are trained food professionals with degrees in food science, food and nutrition, culinary arts, or dietetics. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes each year.
Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden
The Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden has served gardeners nationwide since 1998 by providing garden-tested, firsthand information about plants, gardening methods, garden styles, projects, and ideas. Our learnings in the garden inspire articles in print and online and the plants are featured in our photography and social channels — check out our social feature “What’s Blooming?” on Instagram and TikTok for an inside-the-Test-Garden look at what’s flourishing. Within the 22 different garden spaces are hundreds of perennials, trees, and shrubs, plus a changing palette of annuals and bulbs. To test plants and offer fresh ideas, the garden changes every year. Arbors and trellises are replaced with new designs; old plants come out to make room for new ones. The Test Garden holds plants that are not yet available from nurseries or garden centers; if these plants prove to be good performers, BHG is ready to tell you about them when they first come to market. BHG’s former garden editor Mark Kane had the original vision for the garden, and since its very first day, the BHG Test Garden has been helmed by Sandra Gerdes and she’s been running the show for 25 years.
Our Editorial Teams
Our editorial and leadership team is comprised of experienced editors and experts in their fields including food, home design, gardening, and more. At Better Homes & Gardens, we hope to fuel your creative ideas and help you bring them into reality.
BHG.com Editorial Staff
SVP & Group General Manager, Home & Design Mélanie BerlietGeneral Manager Emily ManchesterAssociate Editorial Director Sheena Chihak, R.D.Senior Editor Lauren PhillipsSenior Editor, Home Caitlin SoleSenior Editor Sarah MartensEditor, Garden Viveka NevelnSocial Editor Jennifer AldrichVisuals Editor Casey OtoAssociate Editor, Food & Recipes Katlyn MoncadaAssistant Editor, Home Emily VanSchmusEditorial Assistant, News & Special Projects Bryce JonesEditorial Assistant, Home & Garden Savanna Bous Executive Video Producer Allie MerriamSenior Video Producer Shirley Cheng
Better Homes & Gardens Magazine Editorial Staff
Vice President, Editor In Chief Stephen OrrCreative Director Jennifer D. MadaraExecutive Editor Oma Blaise FordManaging Editor Greg Kayko Home Editor Amy PanosStyle & Design Director Jessica ThomasWest Coast Editor/Gardens Miranda CrowellSenior Style Editor Jennifer CondonSenior Editors Katy Kiick Condon, Monika Biegler Eyers, Kit SelzerAssociate Market Editor Lauren BengtsonAssociate Editor Mallory AbreuTest Garden Manager Sandra J. Gerdes Food Editor Jan MillerSenior Editor Emily Teel Features Editor Diana DickinsonHealth & Features Director Amy BrightfieldBeauty & Fashion Director Erica MetzgerAssistant Editor Samantha Benoit Design Director Stephanie HunterDeputy Art Directors Jarret Einck, Lori SturdivantAssociate Art Director Maggie GoldsmithPhoto Editor Holly Pruett Copy Chief Angela K. RenkoskiSenior Copy Editors Erika Bjorklund, Martha Coloff Long, Madelaine Jerousek-SmithProduction Editor Cindy Murphy
Recent Press
Our editors share valuable insider tips and tricks every day. Here are some of our editorial team’s latest features in national media. For press queries, you can reach us at bhg.press@dotdashmdp.com. The Today Show: Dolly Parton is the latest cover star of Better Homes & Gardens CBS Sunday Morning: Better Homes & Gardens marks 100 years Domino: This $279 Walmart Bouclé Chair Made Us Do a Double Take The Today Show: Products that give back to breast cancer charity: Self-exam butter and more Good Morning America: Everything under the sun to maintain that healthy glow PEOPLE.com: ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ celebrates 100 years with cake covers from Ina Garten, Padma Lakshmi and more Entertainment Weekly: The biggest pop culture moments of 2022 Apartment Therapy: Better Homes & Gardens color of the year will inspire you to think pink Business of Home: Stephen Orr wants to make a home magazine for all of America The Associated Press: Simple steps toward reducing waste this holiday season Live with Kelly & Ryan: Go Green Week: Composting 101 Des Moines Register: No ‘mussy, fussy’ in the Better Homes and Gardens’ Test Garden, just thriving plants
About Dotdash Meredith
BHG.com is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family, an operating business of IAC. Dotdash Meredith is the largest digital and print publisher in America. From mobile to magazines, nearly 200 million people trust us to help them make decisions, take action, and find inspiration. Dotdash Meredith’s over 50 iconic brands include PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Verywell, FOOD & WINE, The Spruce, Allrecipes, Byrdie, REAL SIMPLE, Investopedia, Southern Living, and more.
Dotdash Meredith Press
Read about Dotdash Meredith and our family of brands in the news.
Meet Our Senior Management Team
Learn more about the Senior Management Team team behind Dotdash Meredith.
Privacy
Our mission is to be clear and transparent about how and why we collect and use personal information and to empower you to control your personal information. Please read our full Privacy Policy.
Contact Us
Do you have something you’d like to share? Whether you have a comment, need help, or have an idea to share, we look forward to hearing from you: bhgeditor@meredith.com. You may also mail us a letter at: Better Homes & Gardens, 1716 Locust St, Des Moines IA 50309
