The Gardens

At The Hacienda at the River®, gardens are places of connection and grounding spaces where members and guests encounter the healing elements of nature. Seasonal gardens nourish your mind, body, and spirit with fresh produce and horticultural therapy programs.

The Hacienda supports a number of seasonal gardens and small orchards, created and maintained with the guidance of Master Gardeners from the University of Arizona. Sustainable, organic methods are used to provide a steady variety of fresh ingredients to The Hacienda’s kitchens.

Learn, sow, and grow. Our gardens not only supplement our kitchens, but they also are deeply integrated into our therapeutic programs, providing a rich hands-on experience for our members. Scientists have found that gardening increases a sense of well-being, reduces stress, and calms nerves. It also enhances cognitive functioning, improves concentration, and stimulates memory in those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In physical rehabilitation, it can help strengthen muscles and improve coordination, balance, and endurance.