The Great Big Bulb Dig
Take home a little piece of the Floriade magic!
Floriade lovers will be able to take home a little piece of the magic this year when they take part in The Great Big Bulb Dig. The Bulb Dig will be held at Commonwealth Park on Monday 14 October, the day after Floriade closes its gates for 2024.
All funds raised from the Great Big Bulb Dig will go to the two charities selected by our presenting partner, Synergy Group. This year Bulb Dig bag sales will again support Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.
To gain access to the Bulb Dig visitors must purchase a Floriade Art in Bloom Great Big Bulb Dig bag from the Floriade Shop, the on-site Information Tent, the Synergy Group Kombi van, or the charity marquees during Floriade. Bags will also be on sale at the gate on the day of the Great Big Bulb Dig should any bags remain unsold during Floriade.
There is no limit on the number of bags you can buy – MORE BAGS = MORE BULBS!
NEW THIS YEAR – VIP BAGS!
This year, we’re offering an exclusive VIP Great Big Bulb Dig bag for $30 alongside our standard option which cost $15. The VIP Navy Blue bag not only grants you early access to the event at 10am but also comes in an extra-large size, allowing you to collect more bulbs and further support the chosen charities. Don’t miss out – VIP bags are in limited supply! Regular bag entry will be available from 11am.
YOUR 2024 GREAT BIG BULB DIG BAG IS YOUR ENTRY TICKET – NO BAG, NO ENTRY!
To participate in the Great Big Bulb Dig, simply purchase your 2024 Art in Bloom bag (or bags!) from the Floriade Shop, the on-site Information Tent, the Synergy Group Kombi van, or the charity marquees during Floriade. Bags will also be on sale at the gate on the day of the Great Big Bulb Dig. Your bag serves as your entry ticket to the Bulb Dig, and only those carrying a 2024 bulb dig bag will be allowed to enter.
Please note that only the official 2024 bulb dig bags can be used to collect bulbs – no previous bulb dig bags or plastic bags are permitted. The good news is that there is no limit to how many bags you can buy, so the more bags you have the more bulbs you can take home!
There are two types of bags available: VIP bags for $30 and regular bags for $15. The VIP bag grants you early access to the event at 10am and is also an extra-large size, allowing you to collect more bulbs and support the chosen charities. Don’t miss out—VIP bags are in limited supply! Regular bag entry will be available from 11am.
Not only do bulb dig attendees have the chance to recreate a mini-Floriade at home next spring, but they will also be supporting local charities. All profits from bag sales will go to Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, the charities nominated by our presenting partner, Synergy Group,
Only a limited number of branded Synergy Group Bulb Dig bags will be available, so get in quickly! Just remember, you must have a bulb dig bag to gain entry, and only these bags can be used to collect bulbs.
Lastly, please be considerate of other participants. With are over half a million bulbs in the park, there’s plenty to go around!
As you’ll be digging and using garden tools, we strongly recommend wearing closed toe shoes for your own safety. Additionally, please dress in clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty!
Participants in the Great Big Bulb Dig can only collect as many bulbs as will fit in their official 2024 bulb dig bag. If you want to take home more bulbs, additional bags will be available for purchase on-site.
Please note that the following items are not allowed on-site:
- Trailers
- Wheelbarrows
- Additional bags which are not official 2024 bulb dig bags
If you have purchased a larger number of bags or have mobility or other capacity issue, you may be able to bring something to carry your bulbs. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by Floriade event management.
Participants are welcome to bring tools to assist with digging bulbs. We recommend full-sized tools including but not limited to:
- Shovels
- Garden forks
- Secateurs
To ensure a positive experience for everyone, please be considerate of other participants. Any rude, pushy, or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated, and individuals may be asked to leave if they do not adhere to the following guidelines:
- Follow all directions from staff regarding safety and security.
- Do not pose a threat to public safety or damage to the event site.
- Conduct yourself politely and courteously towards staff, volunteers, and fellow participants. Disruptive, drunken, disorderly, or improper behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Avoid causing any nuisance to other participating in the event or to the surrounding community.
Management reserves the right to refuse entry to or evict anyone who does not comply with these rules.
While children are allowed to attend the Great Big Bulb Dig with a parent or guardian, please be advised that their safety remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian, and is not the responsibility of Events ACT. Children must stay with the accompanying adult at all times.
Please be mindful that Bulb Dig participants will be using potentially dangerous garden tools so children should be kept a safe distance away from areas where others are digging.
The event will proceed in all weather unless Events ACT deems it unsafe for participants. If the event is cancelled due to safety concerns, there will be no refund or compensation. All proceeds from the sale of the bags will be donated to the nominated charities.
Please see the information below on how to dig and care for your bulbs.
- Locate the bulb: Find the bulb by identifying the leaves protruding from the ground.
- Dig carefully: Gently dig around the base of the leaves, about 15cm deep, to unearth the bulb. Aim to lift the bulb, roots, and leaves intact to avoid damaging them, as damage can prevent the bulb from flowering properly next year.
- Preserve flower colour: If there are any remaining flowers, keep them to identify their colour when you plant them at home.
If you live in Canberra or in a cool climate with frosts:
- Planting: Plant the bulbs as soon as you get home in the location where you want them to bloom next spring. Plant them 8cm deep in the ground or in pots and water them well. Bulbs will continue to grow and store energy through their green leaves until late November, preparing for next year’s flowers.
- Post-bloom care: When the leaves naturally turn brown by December, trim off the dead foliage.
- Patience: wait until spring for your beautiful tulips to bloom in your garden!
If you live in a warmer climate with no frosts:
- Planting: Plant the bulbs as soon as you get home in the location where you want them to bloom next spring. Plant them 8cm deep in the ground or in pots and water them well. Bulbs will continue to grow and store energy through their green leaves until late November, preparing for next year’s flowers.
- Post-bloom care: When the leaves naturally turn brown, trim off the dead foliage and carefully dig up the bulbs.
- Storage: Clean the bulbs, removing any soil or potting mix, and store them in a dry, cool location, like how you would store onions or garlic.
- Cold treatment: In autumn, place the bulbs in the fridge starting 1 May for four weeks. This chilling period will help break down dormancy and encourage growth.
- Re-planting: after the cold treatment, plants the bulbs 8cm deep in the garden or in pots and water them well.
- Winter care: Once planted, you can plant winter annuals over the top of them. Water them once or twice a week until spring.
Event Information
When: Monday 14 October 2024
Where: Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Time:
VIP Navy Blue Bag holders – Gates open at 10am
Regular bag holders – Gates open at 11 am
Last entry at 5.30pm with the event concluding at 6pm.
Tickets: $15 includes a regular Bulb Dig Bag or $30 for a VIP Navy Blue Bulb Dig bag. Purchase your bag from the Floriade Shop, the on-site Information Tent, the Synergy Group Kombi van, or the charity marquees during Floriade or at the gate on the day of the Great Big Bulb Dig.
Roundabout Canberra provides safe, high quality essential baby and children’s items to families in need through their network of community and not-for-profit organisations.
The Indigenous Marathon Foundation is a health promotion charity that uses running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement, and to create inspirational Indigenous leaders.
Sponsors
