"Growing Food and Community"

Welcome to The Lost Plot

The Lost Plot is Port Macquarie’s community garden. It is a constantly evolving community space open to anyone regardless of age and ability. It is a place where people can come together to grow and learn about growing food, to connect to like-minded people, to share knowledge and skills and most importantly, to have fun.

You can find us on Central Road, Port Macquarie. We hold working bee's Thursday and Saturday mornings 9-12 in Autumn & Winter, 8-11 Spring & Summer. Everybody's always welcome.

You can also contact us through our social media or email at
info@thelostplot.org.au.

Why get involved

Becoming involved in community gardening has many benefits. It is an opportunity to connect to your community and make new friendships, while learning about growing fresh fruit and vegetables, decreasing your food costs, and being inspired to live a healthier lifestyle. At The Lost Plot, there are frequent opportunities to develop new skills, be involved in creating artworks, or participate in community celebrations. Gardening is also a wonderful way to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and alleviate stress.

How we work

At The Lost Plot, food is organically grown under permaculture principles. Diversity is key to healthy plants and soils, and we grow a range of crops in a developing rotation system. There are regular working bees where people are encouraged to participate, learn new skills and/or share their knowledge. We encourage our ‘bees’ to become members for a small annual fee, and in return, members are welcome to share in the harvest of the garden. At each working bee ready-to-pick produce is harvested and divided amongst those present. We request that the relationship between the member and the garden remains one of give, as well as take. Often members bring excess produce or saved-seeds from their own gardens to swap or share, and there is never a shortage of tea, coffee, or delicious treats for morning tea.

Port Macquarie Community Gardens is a not-for-profit organisation and all funds raised through membership are fed back into the running of the garden

Our history

The Port Macquarie Community Gardens began with the support of Port Macquarie Hastings Council. We also received support from many individuals and local businesses, and we continue to acknowledge these contributors with much gratitude. They were who allowed us to 'get off the ground' (although we are very much an 'on the ground' organisation'!).

After much anticipation and planning, The Lost Plot became operational in April 2014, when Costa Georgiadis (from Gardening Australia) launched it to a crowd of more than 800 people. Initiated by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, the community garden is now entirely managed by volunteers through Port Macquarie Community Gardens Inc. The Garden aims to be a vibrant space that provides opportunity far broader than the gardening itself. It is a place for learning, celebration, growth, reflection, arts and creativity; through workshops, community events, festivals and various projects.