Allotment Gardening Scheme

What is an allotment garden?

• Allotment gardens are areas located within parks and gardens that house gardening plots available for lease to the community to grow their own plants.

How many allotment garden plots are there now, and will the numbers continue to be increased?

• To date, over 2,500 allotment garden plots have been made available to the community with plans for further expansion.

• NParks will be progressively introducing more plots in various parks across Singapore, and work closely with agencies, Town Councils and Grassroots Organisations to implement more allotment gardens in areas outside of parklands to enable more people to garden closer to where they live.

In which parks can allotment gardens be found?

• Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West

• Aljunied Park

• Bedok Reservoir Park

• Bedok Town Park

• Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

• Bukit Canberra

• Bukit Gombak Park

• Choa Chu Kang Park

• Clementi Woods Park

• East Coast Park

• HortPark

• Jurong Central Park

• Jurong Lake Gardens

• Kallang Riverside Park

• Kent Ridge Park

• Lower Seletar Reservoir Park

• one-north Park

• Pasir Ris Park

• Punggol Park

• Punggol Waterway Park

• Sembawang Park

• Sengkang Riverside Park

• Sun Plaza Park

• Tiong Bahru Park

• Villa Verde Park

• West Coast Park

• Woodlands Waterfront Park

• Yishun Park

• Yishun Neighbourhood Park

What should I do if I am keen to start an allotment garden in my residential estate?

• Check out our Community in Bloom programme on setting up a community garden in a public/private residential estate, school, or organisation.

Are there guidelines to designing an allotment garden?

• NParks has published ‘A Guide to Designing and Implementing Allotment Gardens', which is free for all to download.

Can I plant anything that I like?

• All plants and gardening structures should not exceed one (1) metre in standing height (measured from soil level in the planter bed).

• Gardeners are advised not to plant thorny plants or plants with spikes, poisonous plants or those with sap as these plants can cause discomfort and are harmful to the public. Plants that are illegal are not allowed to be planted.

• Gardeners are to be mindful of the neighbouring plots when planting up their plots and ensure that their plants do not encroach into the neighbouring plots’ space and walking paths within the parks. Gardeners should keep their space clean and tidy for the safety of all allotment gardeners.

Can I use pesticides at the allotment garden plot?

• Chemical pesticides, herbicides and fungicides are not allowed to be used at the allotment garden plots as they may kill insects, such as bees and wasps, which play an important role in the pollination process of flowering plants. Such chemicals may also spread to other plots and may cause adverse reactions to gardeners tending to other plots or public who visit the plots.

Where can I store my tools and gardening related materials?

• There is a storage area in each allotment garden planter where tools and other gardening-related materials (e.g. soil, compost) must be kept when not in use. All items stored within the storage area must be kept neatly at all times and not in common spaces or along pathways.

• For Sengkang Riverside Park, there is a separate storage area due to site layout.

Will NParks provide fencing, security or surveillance at allotment gardens?

• Our allotment gardens are located in publicly accessible areas to allow park visitors to appreciate our green spaces and amenities holistically. We also inform gardeners upfront that no CCTVs or fencing are to be installed and that a storage box is provided for their tools and gardening materials.

• NParks would like to remind all park visitors to be considerate and keep our parks a place for everyone to enjoy, by not picking or damaging the plants in the parks including those belonging to the allotment gardeners.

• However, if there are recurrent reports on incidents of theft or vandalism at particular locations, NParks will consider additional measures to deter such occurrences. These may include putting up more signages at prominent areas of the allotment garden premises to remind public, and/or installation of CCTVs for general park surveillance.

Will water and electricity be provided?

• Shared water points are available for use at the allotment garden. No electricity will be provided.

Will NParks or their contractors help me to maintain the allotment garden plot if I am unable to do so? Who is responsible/will pay for any mosquito breeding summons?

• Allotment gardeners are required, at all times and at your own expense, to maintain the allotment garden plot and its immediate surroundings in a good and presentable condition, including trimming overgrown shrubs, removing weeds, pest-infested plants, dead and damaged plants/products.

• NParks will also not be responsible for any instances of mosquito breeding detected by the National Environment Agency (NEA) at the allotment garden plots. Allotment gardeners are responsible for taking all precautions and measures to prevent breeding of mosquitoes at their respective allotment garden plots.

What if I am unable to maintain my plot for a period of time?

• Should an allotment gardener fail to maintain his/her allotment garden plot, and within the time stipulated by NParks, then NParks reserves the right to rescind the licence granted to the allotment gardener. NParks may choose, at its discretion, to allocate the allotment garden plot to another gardener. The registered licensee is solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the allocated allotment garden plot. Assigning the maintenance and/or upkeep of the plot to another person is strictly not allowed.

Who can I approach when there is a beehive, rodents or other wildlife present in my plot?

• Please contact NParks via this feedback form to seek assistance.

Other than AXS application, are there other methods to apply?

• All applications will now have to be made through AXS. Interested members of the public may apply through AXS channels – e-Station (Website at https://e-station2.axs.com.sg/), m-Station (Mobile application) and AXS stations (Kiosk) found island-wide.

• Applicants can contact AXS hotline at 6560 2727 (8.30am – 6pm daily) for assistance.

Why did applications change to the AXS system?

• This system was introduced to streamline and digitalise the application process through the incorporation of Singpass for authentication. Successful applicants will have to make payment via AXS when they are notified of their successful application, instead of manually initiated bank transfers. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified at the end of the allocation process (about 3 months from the closing date of the application).

• Interested applicants who do not have access to Singpass can apply via the AXS kiosks located island-wide.

How many plots can I apply for and how many plots can I lease?

• Applications are based on a per household basis. Each applicant is allowed to apply for only one (1) allotment garden plot at any one time. If the application is successful, only one (1) license will be issued to the applicant, regardless of the number of persons in the household.

Will submitting multiple applications per household increase my chances of getting a plot?

• No. Only one application per household will be accepted by the system, regardless of the number of persons in the household.

Can I choose the plot to lease?

• All plots (waist- or knee-height) are assigned strictly through a balloting system.

How would applicants know if they are successful? When can I expect to start gardening after applying for a plot?

• All successful applicants will receive a Letter of Offer via email from AXS within one (1) month form the closing date of the application exercise. More information, such as the payment instructions and start date of gardening on-site, will be shared in the Letter. Upon payment received, a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) will also be issued to successful applicants in respect of the use of the allotment garden plot.

• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified within three (3) months from the closing of application exercise. Applicants are encouraged to check their email inbox and junk folders regularly.

Can you call/SMS me back when the allotment plots in the park I am interested in are open for application?

• Please check our NParks Allotment Gardens webpage and our social media platforms for updates on available plots and registration details.

I missed the allotment garden plot application exercise/opening, can I be placed on a waitlist?

• There are no waiting lists as all available plots will be assigned to successfully balloted applicants. Applicants may apply for a plot when the registration opens again for other allotment gardens. Please check our NParks Allotment Gardens webpage and our social media platforms for updates on available plots and registration details.

I have missed my payment deadline for my plot application via AXS. Can I appeal to make payment for my plot now?

• The payment deadline is as stipulated in the Letter of Offer, and we are unable to accept any payment after the deadline. You may wish to apply for an allotment gardening plot in other parks of your choice when new applications open for these locations.

• Applicants will be notified via email from AXS on the outcome of their application within three (3) months from the closing date of the application exercise. We encourage all applicants to check their email inbox and junk folders regularly.

I am a foreigner, can I apply for an allotment garden plot?

• Yes, but Singaporeans and Permanent Residents will be given priority.

What is the minimum age to apply for an allotment garden plot?

• The minimum age to apply for a plot is 18 years old at the time of application.

Can existing gardeners re-apply to continue gardening at their allotment garden plot after the end of the TOL period?

• Before the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) expires, existing gardeners who have maintained good gardening etiquette will be contacted by NParks officers to offer them an additonal 3-years TOL. The terms and conditions and fees for the allotment garden plot may be updated from time to time and allotment gardeners are requested to read the updated terms and conditions of the TOL.

What does it mean to maintain good gardening etiquette?

• Good gardening etiquette includes keeping the allotment garden plot tidy and clean, maintaining the plants well and keep them pest free, storing all gardening items neatly, ensure all planting structures installed are compliant with terms and conditions, and conducting regularly checks for stagnant water to prevent mosquito breeding. Having a well-kept and maintained allotment garden plot ensures that it is safe and enjoyable for everyone. For more information on good gardening etiquette, check out the garden housekeeping page.

Why are existing gardeners being given the opportunity to continue gardening at their plots? Why not keep the existing system of computerised balloting?

• We hope to continue fostering a love for gardening by allowing existing gardeners who have maintained good gardening etiquette to continue gardening at their allotment garden plots.

How can new gardeners get an opportunity to secure an allotment garden plot, if existing gardeners are staying on with their plots?

• NParks will continue to roll out new allotment garden plots in more parks across Singapore to provide the community with opportunities to garden near their homes. In tandem, we are working closely with agencies, Town Councils and Grassroot Organisations to implement more allotment gardens in areas outside of parklands, as part of efforts to provide allotment gardens closer to residents for their convenience. All this will allow us to continue fostering a love for gardening among Singaporeans and nurturing a community of gardeners.

Out of all the allotment garden plots, how many will NParks reoffer to existing gardeners and how many will be opened to new gardeners for balloting?

• Existing gardeners who have maintained good gardening etiquette will be reoffered to continue gardening at their allotment garden plots. Should they choose not to continue gardening, their plots will be released for balloting. NParks will also continue to provide more allotment garden plots in our parks.

When can new gardeners apply for allotment garden plots?

• More details will be provided when ready. We will be updating this webpage and NParks' social media sites when plots are open for application.

Can I get refund of my TOL once I have made payment?

• It is important to read all Terms and Conditions of the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) document. The TOL, once paid, is non-refundable.

Can I just pay the fee for 1 year?

• The allotment garden plot is leased for a period of up to 3 years at a time, depending on the remaining lease period available at the allotment garden site. At the start of your lease period, you will need to pay the fee for the lease period stated in your Letter of Offer.

Will I get a refund if I need to end the end date of my lease period?

• No refund will be given if you decide to terminate the Licence before the lease expires.

When must I pay for the plot and what is the payment mode?

• A Letter of Offer will be sent to all successful applicants via email from AXS. Payment mode will be via any AXS Channels – e-Station (Website at https://e-station2.axs.com.sg/), m-Station (Mobile application, or AXS Station (Kiosk) found island-wide. The payment instructions will be provided in the Letter of Offer.

Is the price of the allotment garden plot lease fixed at $65.40 (inclusive of GST) per year?

• The allotment garden plot fees are subject to annual market valuation. Once you have paid for your lease period, your annual fee will remain fixed at the rate you signed up for until your lease expires.

• For example:

  • If you sign up when the annual fee is $65.40, you will continue to pay this amount for your entire 3-year lease period

  • When your lease expires, the renewal fee will be based on the prevailing rate for that year

  • New gardeners will pay the prevailing rate at the time of their registration