Mr Elms said particularly over the past three to four years interest in self-grown food had risen.
"It could be due to rising food prices and an awareness that growing food ourselves is a thing that we as human beings should be doing."
The Saturday workshop was part-one of a two-part series, also being held in Wanaka, funded by the Queenstown Lakes District Council as part of its waste minimalisation programme.
More than 20 people attended the Queenstown workshop in the Harvest Community Garden and learnt they could replenish their plates at little cost but full satisfaction.
"It's great for Queenstown because often it's hard reaching the Queenstown community because it's so transient."
Mr Elms educated the group about how to sidestep Wakatipu's harsh climate by methods such as installing a frame fitted with plastic to create a "microclimate" in the winter.
He said a common question was how to protect plants from frosts since "we can have a frost here in any month of the year".
"Everything is extreme here.
"You may not get rain for three months."
The keen gardeners took away fact sheets, one of which encouraged people to focus on five main crops, since people often tried to replicate the abundance of exotic plants seen in magazine show gardens.
"That's what often happens. We see those glossy magazines and get lost."
The second workshop, "Get Composting" would be held in November.
Mr Elms said once people started growing they were keen to learn more, particularly about composting.
