GardenSmart Service

FREE garden advisory service by expert horticulturist and rebate to help you save water in the garden.

What is it?

To help the Canberra community make a long-term commitment to water-efficient and sustainable gardening practices, the ACT Government offers a FREE GardenSmart service, valued at around $150.

Whether you'd like a formal or an easy care garden, a play space for kids or a productive garden full of fruit and vegetables, the GardenSmart service can help.

Our horticulturist will visit your home, school or community group and advise you how to make your garden more water-efficient and sustainable through clever plant choice and garden design, and give you practical maintenance and watering advice.

Who can participate?

GardenSmart is available to ACT residents for residential dwellings, schools and community groups connected to ACTEW Corporation's water supply network.

The full terms and conditions can be downloaded here  ( 20.3 KB).

How much is the rebate?

After the horticulturist’s visit, residential home owners can apply for a rebate of up to $50 when they buy selected water-saving products such as garden mulch, drip irrigation systems or components, weeping hose, tap timers, soil additives for moisture retention, irrigation system controllers, moisture/rain sensors for irrigation systems, water wands, downpipe water diverters, greywater hoses, compost bins, worm farms and books on water-efficient or sustainable gardening. 

Purchases must be made within 6 months following the GardenSmart service.

Schools and community groups, although not entitled to the product rebate, can register for a FREE second follow-up visit.

How do I access it?

To register for the GardenSmart service:

• complete the online booking form; OR
• complete and submit the GardenSmart registration form  ( 87.8 KB) via mail to GardenSmart program, Environment and Sustainable Development, ACT Government, GPO Box 158, Canberra ACT 2601, or send via fax to 6205 3602; OR
• call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.

You will then be contacted to arrange a suitable time for the horticulturist to visit your garden.

To apply for the rebate on the purchase of water saving products, you will need to send us the receipts for your purchases, along with the rebate application form that will be given to you by the visiting horticulturist.

Find out more

For more information, see the GardenSmart brochure  ( 633.5 KB), the terms and conditions  ( 20.3 KB), or call Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.