Create your own sanctuary for peace, joy, and renewal
Design your personal healing and meditation garden—a sacred space that nurtures your spirit, enhances your practice, and brings deep calm to your days.
You don’t need to be an artist to create beauty and harmony.
All you need is your vision, your intention, and a little expert guidance.
A Transformative Retreat for the Soul & Soil
Led by Debby Ward, professional organic garden designer, coach, trainer, and speaker, this immersive two-day experience will help you:
⭐Visualize the garden sanctuary your heart longs for
⭐Design a healing and meditation space tailored to your needs and desires
⭐Clarify your goals and intentions through Debby’s Sanctuary Systems process
⭐Incorporate natural design principles rooted in permaculture and organic gardening
⭐Create a simple, actionable plan to bring your healing garden to life
By the end of this retreat, you’ll take home a personalized garden design for your unique space—infused with your energy, purpose, and joy.
What You’ll Experience
Beyond the hands-on design work, you’ll enjoy restorative practices that deepen your connection to nature and self:
🌿Contemplative walks through a stone circles, fields and forests
🌿Gentle yoga and stretching
🌿Breathwork exercises
🌿Sound healing for inner harmony
🌿Time for reflection, creativity, and community
Even if you don’t currently meditate, this retreat is for anyone who longs for a tranquil, restorative garden space.
Add your name to the 2026 Waitlist to get first notifications. Spaces are limited to 10 spots!
Why this workshop & retreat were created
You may have noticed how fast-paced life has become and how much people are yearning for connection, peace and joy.
The more people I speak with, the more I see how people really do want to un-plug a bit, take a deep breath and relax.
It seems so much easier to do this when we go the forest or ocean or other natural space. Yet, because we are so busy, we can’t always get away somewhere to do this.
So, create it at home. This way, you can relax in a space, specifically created for what you want, right out your backdoor. This retreat and workshop allows you to manifest the sanctuary that will allow you to do this at home.
With a home sanctuary, even if you only have 15 minutes to chill – your relaxation zone is right there, no need to go drive anywhere!
Your home healing and renewal sanctuary begins by taking this one weekend retreat.
The Venue: Terre Haute Farm
Founded in 1744 by French Huguenots, Terre Haute Farm has been a vibrant part of the Huguenot Springs community for almost 300 years.
The farm’s mission has and will always be to provide others with that which nourishes both spirit and mind. More about the farm
Retreat Schedule Snapshot
Two days of inspiration, reflection, and creativity:
- Guided workshops using Debby’s Sanctuary Systems design process
- Right Breathing sessions to for relaxation and focus to open your creativity
- Sound healing and movement to nourish your body and spirit
- Garden visioning and design exercises to bring your dream to life
- Personal design time with Debby’s one-on-one support
- Community ritual, sharing and support for harmony and connection
🌿 Be empowered to create a space that nourishes you with the right guidance.
Your Guide and Instructor, Debby Ward
Debby Ward is a professional organic gardener, coach, trainer, speaker and designer with over 50 years of gardening experience.
Debby provides innovative organic gardening services and systems through her business, Prior Unity Garden, which she founded in 2009.
Debby was on the management team of the successful Grow Your Health Festivals for five years and is a member of Garden Communicators international. Her business is sustainability certified at the highest gold level by Green America.
Debby has been involved in her current spiritual practice for 25 years. She celebrates and respects each person’s spiritual path.
She loves to help grow gardeners and taught for The Mason Sustainability Institute, Master Gardeners of Fairfax County, Washington Gardener Magazine and for many events and organizations.
Debby values biodiversity, community, healthy living soil, fresh organic food and the prior unity inherent in all beings.
Join the Waitlist for 2026
This retreat fills quickly, and space is limited to only 10 participants.
Accommodations & Options
Overnight options (6 total):
🌿 Private room & bath, limit 3 – $675 including retreat fee, accommodations and meals (meals include a welcome reception with refreshments, lunch and dinner Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
🌿 Shared room & bath – limit 3 – $600 including retreat fee, accommodations and meals (meals include a welcome reception with refreshments, lunch and dinner Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Retreat only
🌿$500 includes retreat fee, welcome reception with refreshments, lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
FAQs
Do I need to have gardening experience to attend?
Not at all! This retreat is designed for anyone who wants to create a healing or meditation garden, whether you’re brand new to gardening or an experienced grower. Debby will guide you step-by-step through her Sanctuary Systems process so you can bring your unique vision to life.
What if I’m not artistic or don’t know how to design a garden?
No worries—you don’t need to be an artist! You’ll be guided through simple, creative exercises that help you imagine and map your garden space. Your design will be as personal and unique as you are.
What will I come home with after the retreat?
You’ll leave with a clear, customized garden design, that includes what is healing to you plus notes from Debby’s Sanctuary Systems, and a practical action plan to start creating your healing or meditation garden. Most participants also find they gain renewed clarity, peace, and inspiration—both in their gardens and within themselves.
I don’t currently meditate. Is this retreat still for me?
Absolutely. This retreat is perfect for anyone who wants a peaceful, restorative outdoor space. You’ll learn design principles that can be applied to create tranquility—whether you meditate, do yoga, read, pray, want family or community space, or simply enjoy quiet time in nature.
What is included in the cost of the retreat?
Your fee includes all workshops, guided practices, and some during the retreat. Local attendees receive the full retreat experience and meals during the day.
All materials for the design sessions are provided. Overnight guests also enjoy comfortable accommodations, additional meals and evening activities.
Where is the retreat held?
The retreat takes place at Terre Haute Farm, a historic property in Midlothian Virginia, founded in 1744. The farm’s mission is to nourish both spirit and mind—making it the perfect setting for this retreat.
How many people will attend?
To keep the experience intimate and personal, space is limited to 10 participants total. Only 6 overnight spaces are available with 3 private rooms or 3 shared rooms on a first come, first serve basis.
This allows plenty of time for individual attention and connection with Debby and fellow participants.
What will the food be like?
Meals are vegetarian, fresh, wholesome, and organic, created to nourish both body and soul. All retreatants will enjoy a welcome reception, lunch on Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Overnight guests also enjoy dinner Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday. Let us know if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
What should I bring?
Bring a notebook or journal, comfortable clothes for light movement and outdoor walks, and a heart open to inspiration. If you already have photos or sketches of your garden space, you’re welcome to bring those too.
Can I come just for one day?
Because the retreat builds progressively through each workshop and experience, we recommend attending the full retreat for the most meaningful results. However, local participants can choose the retreat-only option, which includes all sessions on Saturday and Sunday and lunches.
When will registration open for 2026?
Exact dates will be announced soon. Joining the waitlist ensures you’ll be the first to receive registration details, early access, and priority booking before spots open to the public.
What is your refund or cancellation policy?
Once registration opens, a detailed refund policy will be provided. Typically, a portion of the fee is refundable up to a certain date prior to the retreat. Joining the waitlist now holds no financial commitment—it simply reserves your place to receive updates first.
If you’re ready to:
⭐Cultivate inner peace on retreat and carry that over into your own garden space
🌿 Design your healing garden sanctuary based on what is healing for you
🌸 Align with nature’s wisdom for peace and tranquility
Join the Waitlist for 2026
Join the waitlist now to be the first notified when registration opens. Each retreat only has 10 spots.