visit the gardens
25002 S. 206th St. Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Located in a pecan grove near the Pecan Lake subdivision, the Gardens are designed to inspire sustainable, yet elegant edible landscaping, and to show what is possible in your own yard.
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Water Wheel
The Queen Creek Botanical Gardens is home to the one and only operational waterwheels in the American southwest. Only three-such watermills exist in operation west of the Mississippi.
The second-story millworks are powered entirely by the waterwheel and include a restored 1886 stone gristmill as well as an industrial-era pecan cracker and shelling machine.
Themed Gardens
Come and walk through the growing list of themed demonstration gardens at various stages of development including the Market Farm, Formal English, Urban Vertical Gardens, Japanese, the Mill-Creek Medicinal Gardens, Wedding Meadow, the Golden Rule Gethsemane Garden, and more opening soon.
Water Features
Stroll along the lush shores of the Pecan Lake, streams and waterfalls and experience one of Arizona’s only regenerative aquatic ecosystems, sustainably stocked with catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, blue-gill and shoals of flathead minnows.
These water features naturally attract a variety of wildlife including many birds:
Great Blue Heron, Green Heron, White Egret, Merganser, King-fisher, Cormorant, Falcon, Hawk, Owl, Woodpecker, Swift, and many more just waiting for you to identify!
what to expect
Watermill
Tour the only operational industrial-age watermill in the Southwest and learn how grain is milled and how pecans are cracked and sorted from our beautiful, museum-grade, refurbished machines dating back to the 1880’s.
Demonstration Gardens
In the demonstration gardens you will be able to speak with gardeners, and knowledgeable volunteers and learn about different gardening techniques, edible plants, soil, watering, and more.
Year-Round Fruit!
Starting in 2024, the diverse pallet of fruiting plants and trees at the Queen Creek Botanical Gardens have matured enough that there is something ripening in every month of the year! From mulberries, to strawberries, blackberries, to blueberries, and from figs to peaches, lemons, apricots and so much MORE! Get your Guide to Year Round Fruit in Arizona HERE!
Child-friendly Activities – coming soon!
In addition to permanent exhibits, rotating exhibits will change frequently throughout the year. Children will also have plenty to do with hands-on exhibits, animals, and other activities.
Aquaponics – at Pecan Lake!
As you tour the grounds, you will notice Pecan Lake, one of Arizona’s largest regenerative Aquaponic ecosystems where we cultivate sustainable fish colonies that add nutrients to our water that feed all the plant life at the gardens and beyond.
Community Resources
As you support the Gardens by visiting, donating or purchasing from our shops, you will be helping us create a place to enjoy the beauty of nature, learn more about food security, and provide community resources.