If you’ve ever strolled through the sea of tulips at Floriade and thought,
I wish I could take some of that magic home, then The Great Big Bulb Dig is your moment. On the very last day of the festival, families are invited to roll up their sleeves, grab a fork (the big kind, not your salad fork), and dig up tulip bulbs to replant at home.
Don’t forget your tote bag. This one is huge. To actually collect these priceless bulbs, you’ll need to purchase a Great Big Bulb Dig tote bag, available on site at Floriade at the Floriade Shop or the Information Tent. Your tote is your ticket to dig—no bag, no bulbs. You can, however, buy a bag on the day.
We caught up with Teagan, the woman who knows Floriade’s gardens like the back of her hand, and she’s spilling her no-nonsense tips to have the best day possible at the Dig. Here’s what she had to say.
Hot tips from Teagan
Bring the right tools. “Bring your willpower to dig and also bring your pitchfork so the big forks do not bring a little tiny trowel that does nothing. Big forks will do so much better.” Translation: leave the dainty garden trowel at home. If you want tulips, you need heavy-duty gear.
Have a plan. “Make sure you know where all the tulips are that you wanna dig. They might also be dug out before you get there.” In other words, if you’ve got your eye on a patch, get in quick.
Timing is everything. “I’d probably get here at like 10:30AM. It opens at 11:00AM so a lot of people start piling in and then it finishes at 3:00PM.” Arrive early, stake your ground, and avoid missing out.
Support a good cause. On the day, you can also grab a bag of bulbs and support YWCA Canberra’s YHomes housing development. It’s a gardening win that gives back to the community.
And there you have it: expert tips from the woman behind the tulips. Whether you’re taking the kids for a final school holiday outing or simply keen to get your hands dirty, it’s the ultimate way to wrap up Floriade or the school holidays.
- When: The Great Big Bulb Dig Oct 13
- Where: Floriade, Commonwealth Park
- Cost: $20 per bag
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