Port Macquarie Community Gardens’ The Lost Plot will focus on all that and more at its annual spring fair on Saturday September 16.

Volunteer and garden committee member Graeme Evans said The Lost Plot is successful because it’s based on shared knowledge.

“The Lost Plot is about involving the community and sharing knowledge about what is possible through sustainability and gardening,” he said.

“It is our biggest philosophy; to have a range of foods grown here and available. The second aspect is that we are about education.

“Many members come here as volunteers who don’t know a lot about gardening and gardening techniques. But we can learn together.

“I also believe this system works best because people can come together in a very social aspect. It caters for working people, retired people and young parents, who are interested in learning about healthy eating.

“We can show people how to grow fresh vegetables in a very easy access way of learning.”

Mr Evans said people living in units and flats can also benefit in learning how to grow vegetables in confined spaces or enjoy coming down to The Lost Plot.

“Everyone is welcome with open arms,” he added.

The Lost Plot features three separate growing areas – fruit forest, citrus grove and fresh vegetables.

The men’s shed provides regular deliveries of saw dust which help in the hot compost section, which is a new innovation.

At the end of each day of operation, crops are harvested and divided between the volunteers.

The group has recent sourced state government funding which has been used to purchase a range of new tools, compost bins and wheelbarrows.

The Lost Plot volunteers are welcome on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am until noon. Visitors are welcome during these hours.

The Lost Plot is on Central Road.

The spring fair is on Saturday September 16 from noon until 3pm. The afternoon includes plant sales, food, garden tours and demonstrations of composting and plenty of children’s activities.