How do I get free plants for a new block in Canberra?

If you have bought a newly released residential block in the ACT, Yarralumla Nursery's Plant Issue Scheme gives you a free package of locally grown plants within two years of settlement. Choose 20 plants in 140mm pots, 10 in 200mm pots, or a mix of 10 and 5. Book a weekday collection with the nursery and bring your rates notice, photo ID and settlement papers.

Can I get a grant for a community garden in the ACT?

Yes. The ACT Community Garden Grants program funds new and existing community gardens. Not-for-profit groups, individuals and organisations can apply with an ABN and public liability insurance; individuals and unincorporated groups need an incorporated sponsor. Round 12 has closed, so watch the Climate Choices website for the next round.

Where can I drop off garden waste for free in Canberra?

Residential garden waste can be dropped off free at SOILCO (Corkhill Bros) at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre and at Canberra Sand and Gravel on Parkwood Road, Belconnen. Fees apply to oversized branches and commercial loads.

When is the ACT FOGO kerbside collection starting?

There is no city-wide start date yet. A FOGO pilot covers more than 6,000 households in Belconnen (town centre), Bruce, Cook, Macquarie and selected Tuggeranong apartments. A Canberra-wide service is subject to further government decisions and needs a large-scale processing facility to be built first.

ACT: Free Plants, Rebates and Garden Freebies

Free plants for new blocks, community garden grants and garden waste services for Canberra gardeners. Everything the ACT Government offers, in one place.

Programs verified October 2026

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ACT Government Programs

Free Plant Issue Scheme (Yarralumla Nursery)

Free Plants

A free package of locally grown plants for owners of a new residential block

Who: Owners of a newly released residential block in the ACT, within two years of the settlement date.

What: Choose one of three packages: 20 plants in 140mm pots, 10 plants in 200mm pots, or 10 plants in 140mm pots plus 5 in 200mm pots. The range covers locally grown trees, shrubs, hedges and ground covers.

How: Contact Yarralumla Nursery to book a 30 minute collection, weekdays between 9am and 3pm. Bring a current rates notice for the new property, photo ID and your settlement papers or contract of sale.

Claim this →

Landscapers cannot collect on your behalf. The block owner has to register and pick up the plants.

Free Garden Waste Drop-off (Mugga Lane)

Service

Free residential garden waste drop-off at Mugga Lane and Belconnen

Who: ACT residents with residential garden waste.

Where: SOILCO (Corkhill Bros) at the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, or Canberra Sand and Gravel on Parkwood Road, Belconnen. Both take residential loads free; fees apply to oversized branches and to commercial loads.

Learn more →

Territory-Wide Programs

These apply across the whole ACT.

Community Garden Grants

Grant

Grants for new and existing community gardens across Canberra

Who: Not-for-profit community groups, individuals, and incorporated or unincorporated organisations. You need an ABN and public liability insurance, and individuals or unincorporated groups need an incorporated sponsor.

Status: Round 12 has closed. Check the Climate Choices page for the next round. In Round 11, five projects shared $41,193.

Apply now →

FOGO Pilot (Selected Suburbs)

Service

Food scraps go in the green bin for households in the pilot areas

Who: More than 6,000 households in Belconnen (town centre), Bruce, Cook, Macquarie and selected Tuggeranong apartments. Pilot households get a free kitchen caddy and liners.

Status: A Canberra-wide FOGO service is subject to further government decisions and needs a large-scale processing facility to be built first, so there is no city-wide start date yet.

National Tree Day (Late July)

Event

Free tree planting events across Canberra

Planet Ark's National Tree Day runs every year in late July. Community groups and government agencies host planting events across the ACT. Check the Planet Ark site for local events near you.

Find events →

New programs launch every year

Get the updated list (and what to plant with your free haul) when ACT programs refresh.

Got your free trees? Now plan your garden.

See exactly what to plant this month in Canberra with the free Planting Season calendar.

View the Canberra planting calendar →