THERE’S A BIGGER STORY HERE

How It All Began
Everything fell into place when John Patterson, a retired businessman, came up with the idea of transforming a local gravel pit into a garden. He was inspired by his trips to Butchart Gardens in B.C. and the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, the largest indoor rainforest in the world. Both destinations are rehabilitated open-air mines that feature world-class gardens. Soon John began his search for suitable land in the Haliburton Highlands to turn into a greenspace where the community could gather, learn, and enjoy. In 2009, the dream became a reality.

Where We Are Now
What started out as one small garden has become so much more. As a not-for-profit charity, Abbey Gardens provides economic and recreational opportunities for our community. Everything we do here helps further our mission to promote sustainable living, so that more people can discover ways to reduce their impact on the planet. We have a dedicated team of full-time and seasonal staff who help manage our gardens, programs, retail, wholesale and daily operations. Volunteers have also embraced our mission and are integral to our success and development.