More than 170 gardening plots open for booking from Oct 8: NParks

SINGAPORE – Those looking to hone their green fingers can now book their gardening plots, as more than 170 spots islandwide have been put up for rental.

Online application is open from 10am on Oct 8 to 11.59pm on Oct 21, said the National Parks Board (NParks) on Oct 8.

The 171 spots are spread across 13 existing allotment gardens, with 59 in East Coast Park Areas B and D, 55 in Bukit Gombak Park, 18 in one-north Park, 16 in Tiong Bahru Park and 11 in Kallang Riverside Park.

The remaining 12 plots are in Aljunied Park, Bedok Reservoir Park, Choa Chu Kang Park, Pasir Ris Park, Sengkang Riverside Park, Sun Plaza Park and Yishun Park.

The plots up for grabs in this exercise include ones where the leases would be ending soon and the re-offer exercise has concluded. It also includes plots that have been vacated ahead of lease expiry.

All upcoming plots consist of a raised planter bed measuring 2.5m by 1m, soil and a mini storage area for tools. They will each be leased for up to three years at $57 annually.

Each household is allowed to apply for a plot at any one location at a time. Those interested can apply and ballot for a plot via AXS channels, namely the e-Station website, the m-Station mobile app or the physical AXS Station kiosks.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application via e-mail within three months from the closing date of the application.

The Allotment Gardening Scheme was launched in 2016 to create space for those interested in growing edible produce.

More than 2,400 allotment garden plots have been introduced in 28 parks and gardens in Singapore to date. In addition to these, 900 plots across 29 locations are managed by residents’ committees and residents’ networks.

In a Facebook post, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee highlighted a retiree who found her passion for gardening after successfully balloting for an allotment gardening plot in 2021.

“For the past few years, she regularly tends to her plots and has grown a variety of edibles such as kale, bok choy, spearmint, rosemary and tomatoes for her family and friends to enjoy,” he said.

He added that the Allotment Gardening Scheme has been very popular since its launch, and that NParks has since worked with town councils and grassroots organisations to add more plots in various housing estates to meet the strong demand.