Enthusiastic residents harvested spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, fresh herbs and other produce for the first time last Sunday.

Community garden member Daniel Motbey said living in a sustainable community encouraged people to think about ways they could give something back.

He said children learned through the exercise too.

The three-month-old garden was a green initiative to benefit the environment and community.

It's maintained by a group of 12 residents who often swap recipes as they tend the garden each fortnight.

``We have four garden beds at the moment ... We will probably look to expand that,'' Mr Motbey said.

``Everyone's excited. Group members have been able to take bits of produce here and there, but we've now got to a stage where we can say `here's a whole bunch of spinach' or `there's a whole head of broccoli to take home'.''

The Plantmark nursery has advised of the best produce to plant.

Instead of pesticides, the group has used companion plants like marigolds and lavender to keep pests at bay.

The group is open to all New Rouse Hill residents and meets on the first and third Sunday of every month at the community pavilion, corner of Bellcast and Freshwater roads, Rouse Hill, at 4pm.

Details: 98512000.