Photography

A Hidden Gem in Downtown Des Moines — Summer 2025!

Recently I visited the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden in Des Moines, Iowa—a truly beautiful space right in the middle of the city. If you’re in Des Moines during the summer, I definitely recommend stopping by! The garden is open to the public from May through September, on Fridays only from noon to 2 p.m. (except on July 4), and located at 1716 Locust Street. (Street parking is available for 25 cents per hour!)

Hard to believe, but this peaceful block was once an auto repair shop, dry cleaner, gas station, and parking lot. In the mid-1990s, it was transformed into a working test garden for Better Homes & Gardens. The first garden manager, Sandra Gerdes, came from the horticultural team at Walt Disney World, and you can feel a bit of that imaginative touch in the way the garden is laid out. If you have a front or backyard and need ideas, this is a great place to come!

I’ve shared a few of my favorite photos here—hope you enjoy the visit as much as I did! Feel free to leave a comment—I'd love to hear what you think, or if you’ve ever been there too.