The 2023 Central Coast Edible Garden Trail on October 21-22 saw more than 650 people visit about 50 gardens all over the region in its second year.
Event organisers Anna Trigg and Sandi Eyles said visitors reported feeling inspired with increased confidence to try growing more food at home.
Garden hosts enjoyed themselves too.
Owen Bridgeman of Miyan Nura at Umina Beach said he had a wonderful day.
“It was lovely talking to all the visitors and I learnt some new things along the way,” he said.
“I had a good steady flow of people and my volunteers, some of the lovely ladies from Mingaletta, were able to raise some money for their community work and look after the sign-in.
“They had a brilliant day too.
“(I am) keen to be involved again next year.”
The oganisers gave a huge vote of thanks to those who “worked like trojans” to prepare and open their gardens and share their knowledge, experience and passion with complete strangers .
“The visitors’ thirst for knowledge and practical know-how about permaculture and organic practices was a common theme across all the gardens,” they said.
“(Visitors saw) with their own eyes how successfully you all are growing fresh, abundant produce full of life and love without any nasties and in soil that has been nurtured, improved, and is packed full of biodiversity.
“A huge congratulations to each and every one of you both for creating these wonderful spaces to grow food and … for inspiring hundreds of visitors to improve their own practices, try new techniques and get more permaculture happening in the ground.
“We’d also like to say a big thank you to all the amazing volunteers who helped out in gardens and behind the scenes; you are amazing and generous and we are so grateful to you.
“And last but not least a big thank you to Permaculture Central Coast, who have wholeheartedly supported this project from the outset.”
The Trail was an opportunity for all Coasties to see what foods grow well here in our climate; learn from experienced gardeners who have been successfully growing food without harmful chemicals and producing healthy and safe food for their families (some for almost three decades); and feel inspired to head home and take action, knowing there is a supportive community they can reach out to to ask questions and get advice when they need it.
“Our focus this year has been to encourage beginners to have a go at growing food at home,” the organisers said.
“The Trail itself is a fantastic way to see an enormous variety of gardens, strategies and approaches.
“Visitors could discuss directly with the creators of those gardens the ins and outs of why they chose to do what they did and to share not just their successes but also their failures, giving beginners a head start to avoid some of the pitfalls new gardeners might come across.”
The Central Coast Edible Garden Trail is a project of Permaculture Central Coast and is a ticketed, self-guided weekend event in home and community gardens.
It is a not-for-profit event, with funds raised through ticket sales redistributed to the local community.
Permaculture Central Coast comprises an enthusiastic group of volunteers who work together to encourage more people on the Central Coast to learn, practise and teach permaculture.
For more information see permaculturecc.org.au