Sunset Magazine Test Gardens

I was curious to see the test garden at the Sunset Magazine headquarters. I wasn’t sure what to expect – a scientific lab, test tubes, and researchers wearing lab coats?

In the test gardens at Sunset Magazine - rose garden, turf,
garden art, and raised beds are all visible.

Instead we found an intriguing plot of land set apart from the regional gardens. The test garden was surprisingly small—about 3,000 feet square—but filled with container plants, and experiments in irrigation, hardscape, and interesting plantings. A small team of magazine employees discussed the details of an upcoming photo shoot. According to A Walking Tour of the Sunset Gardens, ideas are rigorously tested in the test garden; they use organic gardening methods; and about 50% of their pictures are shot in the test garden.

Flower beds, mulch, and a unique, circular raised bed in the
Sunset Magazine test garden.

A unique garden bed configuration with irrigation. The path in the middle
enables easy access to future plantings - a great idea for a vegetable garden.



Containers and experimental raised beds.

I suppose my garden is a test garden of sorts, with many experiments, some successes, and many failures! But the point is to envision, try, and learn.