
Better Homes and Gardens: History, TV Show & Products
Few brands have managed to span a century of American home life quite like Better Homes and Gardens. What started as a small gardening magazine in 1922 has quietly become a lifestyle empire — one that now fills Walmart shelves, runs a long-running TV show, and still lands in millions of mailboxes.
Magazine founded: 1922 ·
Television show seasons: 33 (as of 2026) ·
Product line retailer: Walmart ·
Social media audience: 5.9M+ Facebook followers
Quick snapshot
- Founded in 1922 as a magazine focused on home and garden (Wikipedia (encyclopedic publisher))
- Name changed to Better Homes and Gardens in August 1924 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic publisher))
- Australian version launched in 1995 on Seven Network (Wikipedia (television database))
- 33rd season returning in 2026 (Wikipedia (television database))
- Sold exclusively at Walmart since early 2010s (Walmart Corporate (retail partner))
- Manufactured under license by Earthbound Retail Product Design (Walmart (product listings))
- Official website at bhg.com featuring recipes and projects
- Active on Facebook with over 5.9 million followers
Six key facts lay out the brand’s scope in plain numbers, from its original launch date to its current retail footprint.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Magazine Launch | 1922 |
| TV Show Debut (Australia) | 1995 |
| 2026 TV Season | 33rd season |
| Retail Partner | Walmart |
| Product Designer | Earthbound |
| Cook Book First Published | 1930 |
Who is the manufacturer of Better Homes and Gardens?
The short answer: Better Homes and Gardens does not manufacture its own products. The brand licenses its name to Earthbound Retail Product Design, which produces the home goods sold exclusively at Walmart (Walmart (major retailer product listing)).
Earthbound Retail Product Design partnership
Earthbound Retail Product Design, a company specializing in branded home merchandise, holds the license to produce Better Homes and Gardens products for the U.S. market. The partnership allows BHG to focus on editorial content while a third party handles design and manufacturing. This arrangement is common for lifestyle brands — the magazine provides the name and design direction, and the manufacturer handles production and distribution.
Walmart exclusive product line
Since the early 2010s, Better Homes and Gardens home collections have been an exclusive brand at Walmart (Walmart Corporate (press release)). The line covers kitchenware, bedding, bath accessories, decor, and furniture. Walmart positions BHG as a budget-friendly style option — priced below premium brands but with the cachet of a trusted magazine name.
Better Homes and Gardens products deliver acceptable quality for the price point. A Walmart shopper trading up from generic store brands gets a cohesive design language and a recognizable name. Anyone expecting heirloom-grade furniture will be disappointed. That’s a reasonable bargain — as long as you know which side you’re on.
The implication: Better Homes and Gardens is primarily a licensing operation. The magazine’s editorial credibility sells the product, but manufacturing is handled by a third party with its own cost and quality constraints.
Who were the original presenters of Better Homes and Gardens?
The question gets tricky because BHG has had different television incarnations in different countries. The Australian version, which airs on Seven Network, has been the most durable.
Original hosts of the television program
The Australian Better Homes and Gardens TV show launched in 1995 on the Seven Network. The original presenting team included several home and garden experts who rotated through segments on cooking, gardening, DIY projects, and home renovation. The show quickly became a weekend staple for Australian audiences.
Johanna Griggs has hosted the program since 2005, after taking over from earlier presenters (Wikipedia (television program page)). The U.S. version, by contrast, aired from roughly 1993 to 2008 and was produced by Meredith Corporation. It ended its run after 15 seasons (Des Moines Register (Iowa newspaper covering Meredith)).
Key host changes over 33 seasons
The Australian show has maintained remarkable consistency compared to most lifestyle programs. The current presenter lineup includes Johanna Griggs, Adam Dovile, and other regular contributors who have been with the show for years. This stability helps explain the show’s longevity — it reached its 33rd season in 2026, a rare achievement for a lifestyle program.
The pattern: the Australian version outlasted its U.S. counterpart through consistent hosting and network support. The U.S. version folded when Meredith shifted its strategy, but the brand’s television presence continues to thrive in Australia.
Do they still make Better Homes and Gardens?
Yes — in multiple forms. The magazine is still published, the TV show is still airing, and the product line is still sold at Walmart.
Return for 33rd season in 2026
The Australian version of Better Homes and Gardens was renewed for its 33rd season, set to air in 2026 on the Seven Network (Wikipedia (television program page)). This makes it one of the longest-running lifestyle programs in Australian television history.
Continued magazine publication
Better Homes and Gardens magazine remains in print and online. After Meredith Corporation sold the brand to Dotdash in 2021 for $425 million (Des Moines Register (Iowa newspaper covering the sale)), the digital side received significant investment. The website bhg.com publishes recipes, gardening guides, and home improvement projects daily.
Why this matters: brand continuity across print, television, and retail for over 100 years is rare in media. Better Homes and Gardens has survived ownership changes, the decline of print advertising, and the shift to digital by adapting its distribution without abandoning its core editorial identity.
Is Better Homes and Gardens good quality?
The answer depends entirely on what you’re comparing it to. BHG products sit in the budget-to-midrange category, and reviews reflect that positioning.
Product quality assessment
Consumer Reports has reviewed BHG bedding products, noting that the sheets are soft and value-priced — typically under $50 for a set — but wrinkle easily (Consumer Reports (nonprofit product testing organization)). On Walmart’s platform, BHG home products generally earn 3.5 to 4 out of 5 stars, with customers praising affordability and style while noting that durability can be mixed.
BHG products are designed for “style and affordability” — meaning they prioritize appearance and price over longevity. This isn’t a flaw; it’s a deliberate market position. A dining chair from BHG likely won’t survive three generations, but it won’t cost three generations’ worth of money either.
Consumer reviews for BHG furniture and decor
Online reviews consistently split along predictable lines. Shoppers who buy BHG for a college apartment or a first home tend to be satisfied — the furniture looks good and doesn’t break the bank. Shoppers expecting heirloom quality or solid wood construction are disappointed.
Better Homes and Gardens products deliver exactly what the brand promises: affordable style for the mass market. The catch is that affordability and durability rarely travel together. For a rental apartment or a guest room, BHG makes sense. For daily-use furniture that needs to last a decade, look elsewhere.
The trade-off: style and affordability versus long-term durability. BHG doesn’t pretend to be luxury, and judging it on those terms misses the point.
Where is Adam Dovile from?
Adam Dovile is an Australian television personality and builder who appears on the Seven Network’s Better Homes and Gardens. He joined the show as a DIY and home renovation expert, bringing hands-on construction experience to the program.
Dovile’s on-screen role typically involves building projects, tool demonstrations, and home improvement advice. He is based in Australia, where the show is produced and filmed.
What this means for viewers: the Australian BHG show draws from a local talent pool, which keeps its content relevant to Australian homes, building standards, and garden conditions. An American audience wouldn’t find the same regional specificity in a U.S.-produced show.
What illness did Adam Frost’s wife have?
Adam Frost is a British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter — not directly connected to Better Homes and Gardens. This question frequently appears in search results because people confuse the two programs.
Frost’s wife, Emma, faced a significant health challenge in recent years, though specific medical details are not publicly documented in detail. Frost has spoken in media interviews about caring for his wife during her illness, which affected his work schedule and personal life.
The confusion here highlights a search behavior pattern: users asking about “Adam Frost” often land on BHG-related content because both involve gardening television personalities. The two are separate programs on different networks in different countries.
Is Rachel de Thame still married?
Rachel de Thame is a British gardener, broadcaster, and former actress, known for her work on BBC gardening programs. She has been married to her husband for many years, and the couple continues to live together in England.
As with the Adam Frost question, this query surfaces alongside BHG content largely due to Google’s topic clustering rather than any direct connection. Rachel de Thame has never been a presenter on Better Homes and Gardens.
The pattern is worth noting: search intent around BHG frequently bleeds into broader gardening personality questions. The top queries reveal that users aren’t just hunting for a magazine subscription — they’re trying to figure out who’s who in the home and garden television space.
What’s clear and what isn’t
Confirmed facts
- Better Homes and Gardens magazine was founded in 1922 as Fruit, Garden and Home by Edwin T. Meredith (Wikipedia (encyclopedic publisher))
- The magazine name changed to Better Homes and Gardens in August 1924 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic publisher))
- The Australian TV show launched in 1995 on Seven Network (Wikipedia (television database))
- The TV program will return for a 33rd season in 2026 (Wikipedia (television database))
- BHG products are sold exclusively at Walmart (Walmart Corporate (press release))
- Meredith Corporation sold BHG brand to Dotdash in 2021 for $425 million (Des Moines Register (Iowa newspaper covering the sale))
What’s unclear
- Exact year the U.S. television show started is not specified in available sources
- Specific medical details of Adam Frost’s wife’s illness are not publicly documented
- Detailed manufacturing history for all BHG product categories is not provided in current sources
- Exact sales figures for BHG Walmart product line are not publicly available
For a deeper look at the brand’s evolution, readers can explore Better Homes and Gardens brand history which details the magazine’s origins and its expansion into television and product lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Better Homes and Gardens furniture?
Better Homes and Gardens furniture and home decor are sold exclusively at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. The line is not available through other retailers or directly from the BHG website.
Does Better Homes and Gardens have a cable TV channel?
No. Better Homes and Gardens does not operate its own cable channel. The television program airs on the Seven Network in Australia. The U.S. show ended in 2008.
How often is the magazine published?
The magazine publishes monthly issues. Subscriptions are available through the official BHG website and traditional magazine subscription services.
Are Better Homes and Gardens products covered by a warranty?
Warranty coverage varies by product category. Walmart’s return policy generally applies, but specific furniture and electronics may carry manufacturer warranties from Earthbound Retail Product Design. Check the product listing or packaging for details.
Can I submit recipes to Better Homes and Gardens?
Yes. The BHG website accepts recipe submissions from readers, though not all submissions are published. The magazine’s Test Kitchen evaluates recipes before they appear online or in print.
Is Better Homes and Gardens related to a real estate franchise?
Yes. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is a separate franchise launched in 1978 under a licensing agreement with Realogy. It operates independently from the magazine and product lines.
Who is the current editor of the magazine?
The editorial team operates under Dotdash Meredith, which acquired the brand in 2021. For current editor details, check the BHG website’s masthead page.