This beautiful green space has something to see in all seasons .
Adjacent to the military headquarters of Better Homes & Gardens ' parent troupe , Dotdash Meredith , the BHG Test Garden is locate at the corner of Grand Avenue and 15th Street in downtown Des Moines , Iowa . TheTest Garden serves as a exhibit garden , a testing land for plant , a photography studio for our company ’s publications and internet site , and a locale for corporate case . See a few high spot below to get a sense of what ’s in the garden , and find out when the garden is receptive to visitant .
Test Garden Visiting Hours
This process space is overt to the public for ego - point circuit onFridays from noonday to 2 p.m. from May to Septemberin 2025 , with theexception of Friday , July 4 , which is a ship’s company holiday so both Dotdash Meredith and the Test Garden will be close .
Groups of 10 or more may schedule guided tours during the open hour by appointment . Call 515 - 284 - 3994 to make a reservation .
Please take down : Due to sidewalk and road construction around the Test Garden , there presently is no accession to the space via wheelchairs or Zimmer . We rationalize for the inconvenience and will bring home the bacon update when access code is uncommitted again .
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens
The Courtyard
When you natter the Test Garden , enter through our independent logic gate on the south side of the garden . Descend a few steps andjoin fellow garden enthusiastsfor a stroll along the chief itinerary , or model in our cardinal court under a ring of maturecrabapple tree diagram . A custom - made methamphetamine and steel fount is our central focal point , while scattered workbench and patio tables make for well-fixed lounging .
The Mixed Perennial Border
A small flagstone path coil through a border garden , and a multifariousness of perennial gives it color springiness through tumble . Bulbs emerge here first , then a serial publication of perennials . afterward , the show will become a small more striking as grasses grow tall and summertime bloom extend to their peak .
The Shade Garden
This area is specially endearing in springiness , as is typical of woodland gardens . Before the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ' canopy close in with leafage , timberland plants such asbleeding heartandBrunneraflower . At the same time , hostasandheucherasexpand and eventually cover the ground .
The Vegetable and Herb Garden
In the sunniest nook of the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden ® , a mix of vegetables and herbs areplanted in raised bed . The Test Garden plants in bed because of the manybenefits of raised bed gardens : they render a longer growing time of year , promote healthier soil , and they keep your garden clean and compact . Not to refer , raised bed will keep open your back . In the Test Garden , there are always plenty of fragrant herbs to sniff ( likebasil , salvia , andchives ) , plus you may get a sneak peek at some of the fresh vegetables we trial every twelvemonth .
Frequently Asked Questions
No , we do n’t have facilities on site . The nearest public convenience is in a convenience storage a city block aside .
No , we do not sell anything in the garden , but Edgar Guest are welcome to impart a luncheon or nonalcoholic beverage to enjoy on a terrace in the garden during our public candid hours . Just note , you need to carry out your glass as there are no receptacle in the garden .
The primary path around the garden is wheelchair approachable . However , because there is a short set of steps to reach the path from the chief entry , the best wheelchair and go-cart access is from the logic gate on the north side of the garden adjacent to Grand Avenue . Federal Reserve note : Due to pavement and road construction that began in spring 2024 around the garden , there is presently no access to the space from the north logic gate . We apologize for the inconvenience .
Credit: Carson Downing
Only service fauna are permitted in the Test Garden .
Because the Test Garden is used for business picture taking and video , professional / commercial photography such as nuptials portraits and senior pictures is not permit . However , you are welcome to take photos for your personal use .
The Test Garden is not available for private events such as weddings , family reunions , or graduation parties .
Credit: Carson Downing
Credit:Better Homes and Gardens
