SINGAPORE – Two decades ago, when the first seeds of the Community in Bloom programme were planted, there were fewer than 200 community gardening groups across Singapore.
That modest beginning has flourished into a nationwide movement of more than 2,000 such groups today.
On Aug 23, the National Parks Board (NParks) marked the 20th anniversary of the Community in Bloom programme with the launch of the week-long Horticulture Festival (HortFest) at HortPark.
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong recalled how the initiative started in 2005 at a single garden in Mayfair in the Bukit Timah area, where he was an MP.
It has now turned into a vibrant network of more than 48,000 gardening enthusiasts across Singapore.
DPM Gan Kim Yong at the opening of HortFest on Aug 23.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
The programme aims to promote gardening among Singaporeans and foster a greater sense of ownership of public green spaces.
“Just like planting, where the smallest seed can grow into beautiful plants and trees, through community gardening, we can come together as neighbours, friends and Singaporeans to grow our common space and strengthen our community ties,” said DPM Gan.
He was joined by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development.
DPM Gan highlighted some initiatives that have grown the gardening community over the years.
The Allotment Gardening Scheme, launched in 2016, has grown from 80 plots at HortPark to more than 2,400 plots across 28 parks and gardens islandwide.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, NParks distributed complimentary packets of vegetable seeds to 800,000 households under the Gardening with Edibles programme, encouraging residents to grow their own vegetables, said DPM Gan.
Six-year-old Adira Advait checking out plant pests at the Living Lab at HortFest.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
More recently, the Grow and Share Initiative has seen more than 130 Community in Bloom groups organise 170 activities within five months, to share their gardening knowledge and harvests with the public, drawing nearly 20,000 participants.
DPM Gan also acknowledged the work of Community in Bloom ambassadors, who have been key in driving community gardening projects.
One such ambassador is Mr Lim Keng Tiong, who transformed an empty plot into the Punggol Coral Residents’ Network community garden. Another ambassador, Madam Rosalind Tan, created therapeutic spaces for staff, patients and volunteers at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.
“Rosalind and her team also grow organic vegetables, which are incorporated into patients’ meals. I visited her garden several times and was a beneficiary of her vegetables and fruits,” said DPM Gan.
He launched a commemorative book chronicling 20 stories of gardens and communities that nurture them.
For Madam Kamisah Atan, 68, a Community in Bloom ambassador who volunteers at the rooftop garden of Block 372A in Jurong East Street 32, the movement is defined by its spirit of inclusivity.
“We welcome everyone – even those on wheelchairs or our oldest gardener, who is 87, can still contribute in their own ways,” she said.
“If I harvest a pumpkin, I will make pumpkin rice for everyone. The volunteers will pool ingredients like dried prawns and mushrooms to cook together,” said Madam Kamisah, adding that gardening is about community as much as it is about plants.
HortFest 2025, held from Aug 23 to 31, showcases horticultural creativity and community engagement. Visitors can explore three new themed gardens at HortPark along with displays from the Horticultural Competition and Community Garden Edibles Competition.
Satellite HortFest events are being held at places such as Singapore Botanic Gardens, Jurong Lake Gardens and Punggol Waterway Park.
Gardener Loh Wee Tat, 67, with his award-winning harvests from the Best Edible Categories in Tomato, Underground Edible and Pumpkin.
ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Visitors can view top entries from the Horticultural Competition and Community Garden Edibles Competition. These include towering garden sculptures, prize-winning vegetables and carefully cultivated ornamental plants.
Specially curated displays will take visitors through two decades of milestones in community gardening, reflecting the growth of the Community in Bloom movement.
Members of the public can sign up for guided tours of HortPark’s themed gardens, the Prototype Glasshouse and Pasir Panjang Nursery – NParks’ largest nursery with over 2,000 plant species.
These are garden displays created by students from the ITE College East, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and Singapore Polytechnic.
Gardeners facing issues such as soil health and plant pests can get expert advice at the Plant Health Clinic, while the marketplace will feature more than 60 retailers offering gardening essentials, lifestyle products and home and garden decor.
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