The Great Big Bulb Dig
Take home a little piece of the Floriade magic!
Each year, The Great Big Bulb Dig marks the much-loved finale of the Floriade season, giving visitors the chance to take home a little piece of the magic from Commonwealth Park.
Held the day after Floriade closes, this unique event sees thousands of visitors return to the gardens to dig up and collect bulbs and annuals from the display beds, ready to replant and enjoy at home. It’s a vibrant, community-driven tradition and a memorable way to farewell another spectacular season of blooms.
The 2026 Great Big Bulb Dig will take place on Monday 12 October.
How to Take Part
Your bag is your ticket
A 2026 Bulb Dig bag is required for entry into the park on Monday 12 October.
Where to buy
Grab yours during Floriade at the Floriade Shop or Information Tent. Limited bags may be available at the gate on the day unless sold out prior.
Good to Know
No bag, no entry
Make sure everyone in your group has a bag before heading in.
No bag limits
Buy as many as you like! More bags = more bulbs for your garden.
Dig for a cause
100% of proceeds go to charity.
Great Big Bulb Dig FAQs
Helpful information for your day
To participate in the Great Big Bulb Dig, simply purchase your 2026 bag (or bags!) from the Floriade Shop or the on-site Information Tent. 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 2026 bulb dig bag will be allowed to enter.
Please note that only the official 2026 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!
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 charity, proudly selected by our presenting partner Allhomes.
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 2026 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 2026 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, 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.
And please note that there is no guarantee that all garden beds will be available for digging, however we do our best to provide access to a wide variety of bulbs.
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 charity.
Both the Parkes Way and Regatta Point gates will be open. Additional bags will be available for purchase at these entry points (subject to availability).
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 with 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.
Yes, more information on who will be available soon.
- To enter the event individuals must have an official 2026 Great Big Bulb Dig bag. Each adult must have their own bag to enter.
- Only the official 2026 Great Big Bulb Dig bags may be used to collect bulbs and flowers. No other bags are permitted.
- Each bag costs $20 and can be purchased during Floriade at the Floriade Shop, the Information Tent, or at the gate on the day of the Great Big Bulb Dig (subject to availability) from the entry points at Parkes Way Gate end Regatta Point Gate.
- There is no limit on the number of Great Big Bulb Dig bags that can be purchased.
- Companion Card holders can enter when accompanying a paying participant and presenting a valid Companion Card at the gate.
- ‘Market’ shopping trolleys and beach carts or wagons are permitted, but all bulbs and annuals must be in official bags in the trolley or cart. Trailers, wheelbarrows, and non-approved carry items are not allowed.
- Participants attempting to leave with bulbs or flowers not contained within an official bag will be stopped at the exit and asked to leave excess items behind or purchase additional bags.
- Participants may bring full-sized gardening tools such as shovels and garden forks.
- Special equipment allowances for mobility or capacity needs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by Floriade event management.
- Access to all garden beds is not guaranteed; some areas may be restricted.
- Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Parents/guardians are fully responsible for their children’s safety.
- Please keep children at a safe distance from digging areas due to the use of sharp tools.
- Digging is not permitted in the Ngunnawal Dreamtime Pathway garden beds.
- The event will proceed in all weather conditions unless deemed unsafe by Events ACT.
- In the event of cancellation due to safety concerns, no refunds or compensation will be provided. No refunds are available on unused bags, or if the purchaser is unable to attend.
- All proceeds from bag sales will be donated to charity, proudly supported by presenting partner Allhomes.
- All participants must follow directions from Floriade staff, security and volunteers; behave respectfully and courteously toward others and not obstruct or interfere with other participants. Aggressive or pushy behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Management reserves the right to refuse entry or evict any individual not complying with these rules.
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