Oprah's Newest Obsession? You'll Never Guess

Oprah Winfrey, 2023. Photo courtesy of Maryland GovPics under CC BY 2.0.

On Maui's breezy hills, nestled in rich volcanic soil, Oprah Winfrey tends to her vegetables like old friends. She's barefoot in the dirt, floppy hat shading her face, grinning at a beet the size of a softball. It's a scene that feels almost cinematic — except it's real, and for Oprah, it's deeply personal.

And here's the part you might not expect: her garden isn't just about food. It's about healing. About memory. About coming home. And perhaps your garden can do the same.

From Mississippi Dirt to Maui Soil

Oprah's love for gardening didn't begin with fame or fortune. It started on her grandmother's modest farm in Kosciusko, Mississippi. In an article on Oprah.com, she reflected on fond memories of warm eggs collected at dawn and pinecone tea made for a cold. Back then, gardening wasn't a hobby but life.

Decades later, with two sprawling gardens — one in Montecito and the other in Maui — Oprah has returned to her roots. Literally.

In Maui, she's turned 16 acres into a lush, abundant farm with over 100 kinds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. According to Oprah.com, she now grows 145 pounds of food each week, sharing lettuce with neighbors and delighting in the taste of real tomatoes again.

In Montecito, her formal garden is nothing short of breathtaking. Master rosarian Dan Bifano helped her cultivate more than 600 rosebushes, GardenRant.com reports. There are sweeping views of the Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Sambreuil roses scented with jasmine, and flower beds that bloom nearly year-round. Oprah has called it her "sanctuary."

But it's more than a peaceful backdrop for interviews with Harry and Meghan or Quinta Brunson. It's her place to feel grounded, present, and powerful. And it can be for you, too.

Why Gardening Heals — Especially As We Age

You don't need 65 acres or an ocean view to understand why Oprah feels this way. Gardening is therapeutic. For older adults, it's also a lifeline.

Research shows gardening can lower blood pressure, build muscle strength, and improve mental clarity. It's also linked to lower risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Even more powerfully, it can connect people, spark spiritual reflection, and fight loneliness.

Imagine this: You walk out to your porch in the morning and sip your coffee beside a row of basil and lavender. You dig into the earth and feel your stress release through your fingertips. You taste a tomato that actually tastes like a tomato. You gift your neighbor a zucchini the size of a baseball bat and laugh together on the sidewalk.

Gardening invites joy.

Yes, You Can Have a Garden Like Oprah's — Even If You're 80

Now, no one's saying you need a crew of landscapers or a garden arch big enough for a royal wedding. The magic is in starting small. Even a few pots on your windowsill can open the door to something bigger.

If you're worried about bending or lifting, raised beds and ergonomic tools make it easier. You can even garden indoors with grow lights. Experts say, the key is creating a space that works for you — one that lifts you up, not wears you down.

And if your memory's not what it used to be? A sensory garden — full of fragrant herbs, colorful blooms, and textured leaves — can stir long-lost memories and provide daily stimulation for those living with dementia.

Planting Seeds of Power and Peace

Oprah's gardens, wild and abundant in Maui and pristine and polished in Montecito, mirror the duality many of us feel: the need for freedom and the desire for order. The hunger to create and the longing to feel safe. The wish to remember where we came from and the courage to keep growing. If she finds all that in a tomato patch or beneath a rose trellis, maybe we can, too.

References: The Reigning Queen of Gardening is…Oprah? | Dig It! How Oprah's Growing Healthier—and You Can Too | Cultivating Wellness: Summer Gardening Tips for Older Adults | Growing Older, Gardening Smarter: Making Gardens Senior-Friendly | Oprah's Obsession with Her Garden is the Best Thing On the Internet