[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/new-gardening-plots-available-in-nparks-initiative-applications-open\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/new-gardening-plots-available-in-nparks-initiative-applications-open\/","headline":"New Gardening Plots Available in NParks Initiative; Applications Open","name":"New Gardening Plots Available in NParks Initiative; Applications Open","description":"Fill Me In Minister for National Development Desmond Lee announced that there would be 1,000 more allotment garden plots available islandwide by 2021. The announcement was made in his opening remarks of the Community Gardens Festival 2020.\u00a0 New gardening plots available Gardening enthusiasts and more families now have the opportunity to nurture their miniature gardens, […]","datePublished":"2020-10-29","dateModified":"2022-07-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/tricia-lim\/#Person","name":"Tricia Lim","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/tricia-lim\/","identifier":71,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e1a1cd2426a2adfc25039c9612619687925cf2cec7aebcdfcc5b783f40d9872?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e1a1cd2426a2adfc25039c9612619687925cf2cec7aebcdfcc5b783f40d9872?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1603955154680_nparks_gardening_plots.jpg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1603955154680_nparks_gardening_plots.jpg","height":854,"width":1072},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/new-gardening-plots-available-in-nparks-initiative-applications-open\/","about":["Community","Environment","Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":650,"articleBody":"Fill Me InMinister for National Development Desmond Lee announced that there would be 1,000 more allotment garden plots available islandwide by 2021. The announcement was made in his opening remarks of the Community Gardens Festival 2020.\u00a0New gardening plots availableGardening enthusiasts and more families now have the opportunity to nurture their miniature gardens, as the National Parks Board (NParks) is increasing the allotment garden plots to 2,000 over the next year.\u00a0One plot is roughly the size of a queen-sized bed, and the fields will be spread across 18 parks.\u00a0Aims to increase interest in community gardeningThe community garden festival is part of NParks\u2019s edible horticulture master plan, which was launched in 2017. The master plan aims to increase knowledge and interest in community gardening by providing support to the public through means such as practical and material resources. NParks has been actively encouraging gardening among communities, by providing seeds and how-to educational videos to introduce gardening to the public.\u00a0Under this master plan, NParks seeks to add more spaces for gardening, increase training opportunities and outreach programmes.\u00a0Where the plots will beThe plots are located in parks in Aljunied, Punggol, West Coast, and Yishun. There will be 26, 100, 80, and 30 plots available in the respective parks, with the fields now open via online application. The application will open for two weeks from 25 October to 8 November, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.\u00a0Applying for plotsThe plots available will be allocated through computerised balloting. Members of the public are encouraged to apply for the gardening plots nearest to their residence. Applicants will be informed of the outcome within three months from the closing date, which is 8 November.People interested in applying for the plots can do so here.\u00a01,000 plots islandwide available by 2021The number of allotment garden plots by 2021 will be doubled, following the addition of 1000 new plots. The 1,000 new plots will be located at 18 parks and gardens islandwide. The parks and gardens are Aljunied Park, Bedok Reservoir Park, Bedok Town Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Bukit Gombak Park, Choa Chu Kang Park, Clementi Woods Park, East Coast Park, Jurong Central Park, Kallang Riverside Park, Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, One North Park, Punggol Park, Punggol Waterway Park, Sengkang Riverside Park, Tiong Bahru Park, West Coast Park, and Yishun Neighbourhood Park.\u00a0The total number of allotment garden plots will be over 2,000 plots after the implementation of the new ones.\u00a0Free seeds and virtual classesIf you\u2019re interested in nurturing your green thumb, NParks will also be distributing around 60,000 seeds to the public. Seeds for growing Kangkong and Chinese Spinach are included, and the organisation is also holding free online masterclasses on how to grow the more difficult types of plants, like capsicums and tomatoes.\u00a0The classes are available on the NParks Youtube channel for those interested.\u00a0Recognising community groups\u2019 gardening effortsCommunity In Bloom recognises community groups\u2019 gardening efforts and rewards the winners with an achievement band of bronze, silver, gold or platinum. The winners were announced at the Community Gardens Festival.\u00a0Gardens that have achieved platinum awards for three consecutive years were pushed up to the diamond band, which has been accorded to 17 gardens this year.\u00a0NParks said that this was the highest number of diamond awards given out in a year. The award-winners noted that the gardens promoted a community-building spirit among those who participate in gardening. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee also highlighted the benefits gardening could have on social well being, especially during a pandemic.Gardening “a meaningful activity”Through the community gardening programmes, Mrs Rina Lai, 49, said that she was able to meet other people and form a sense of belonging in her estate. She is part of the Toh Yi\u2019s resident\u2019s network and is a diamond award winner.\u00a0“This is a meaningful activity that can strengthen bonds between friends, families, and society. It can bring us hope and cheer during challenging times,” he said."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"New Gardening Plots Available in NParks Initiative; Applications Open","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/new-gardening-plots-available-in-nparks-initiative-applications-open\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]