Better Homes and Gardens (magazine)


Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. The editor in chief is Stephen Orr. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per year by the Meredith Corporation. It was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith, who had previously been the United States Secretary of Agriculture under Woodrow Wilson. The original name was Fruit, Garden and Home from 1922 to 1924. The name was changed in 1925 to Better Homes and Gardens.
Better Homes and Gardens is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines.

Brand extension

The Meredith Corporation publishes a number of books on home economics and gardening under the BH&G brand, the best known of which is the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, colloquially known as the "Red Plaid" book. Now in its 15th edition, the Red Plaid was originally published in 1930. Meredith also publishes the New Junior Cookbook for children learning to cook.
The magazine's title was used by Meredith's real estate arm, which was sold and then called GMAC Real Estate. In October 2007, Meredith entered a 50-year licensing agreement with Realogy Corporation to license the Better Homes and Gardens name to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. The company is based in Parsippany, New Jersey, and has offices across the country.
Meredith's broadcasting division began producing the television program Better in the fall of 2007, which is a lifestyle show which has a mix of content from Meredith's various magazine titles, consumer advice and celebrity interviews. The program currently airs on stations owned by Meredith, Scripps, Fisher and LIN TV groups. Some Meredith-owned stations produce their own local edition of Better.
The brand offers a line of home decor products through a partnership with Home Interiors and Gifts, a company based on direct selling.

Overseas editions

An Australian edition is also published, under licence, by Pacific Magazines and there is also a television show which airs on the Seven Network. The Australian edition is the 6th best selling consumer magazine in Australia. The Australian edition has been publishing since July 1978.

Editors