A Day Out in an Urban Farm: A Guide to City Sprouts
Singapore being a highly urbanized nation is great, but sometimes, you’ll still feel the need to take a break from it all and immerse yourself back in nature. Public parks can do the trick, but visiting a farm is just as effective.
One farm that is worth visiting, in my opinion, is City Sprouts. Tucked away in a former secondary school, this urban farm offers guided tours and fun activities for everyone; there’s also a cool dining spot here!
Here, we have everything you’ll need for your much-needed farm retreat.
Things to Know
Address: 102 Henderson Rd, Singapore 159562
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +6564686772
History and Background
City Sprouts was founded in 2019 by Zac Toh and Simone Lim as part of the redevelopment project that aimed to transform the former Henderson Secondary School into an urban farm.
The two founders are also passionate about practicing sustainability in food and agriculture, which is why they’re committed to transforming several other urban spaces into farms.
The one on Henderson Road is the first City Sprouts, and the two other locations are Sky Sprouts Bukit Timah on Dunearn Road and City Sprouts Punggol on Punggol East.
How to Get There
MRT: Riding the MRT is the ideal way to reach City Sprouts. You just have to get off at Tiong Bahru or Redhill, which are the nearest MRT stations.
Bus: If you prefer riding the bus, the bus services that pass by City Sprouts are 132, 145, 16, 16M, and 851.
Car: For people who choose to drive, there’s parking available on-site. Rates are S$0.6 per half-hour or S$1.20 per hour on regular hours. From 10:30 pm to 7 am, you’ll have to pay S$5 per entry.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit City Sprouts is during the morning. This is when the plants look their greenest and the sun isn’t too harsh; if you visit in the afternoon, you might have to deal with the oppressive heat.
Additionally, I recommend visiting the urban farm on a school weekday. This is because City Sprouts tends to be busy during the weekends or public holidays, with all the families that come here to spend some quality time together.
What to Do
Join a guided farm tour
Fee: S$5 per person
Understandably, the best thing to do when visiting City Sprouts is to go on a guided tour around the farm. This tour lasts for one whole day, and during that time, you’ll get a closer look at the inner workings of an urban farm.
If you’re a budding gardener yourself, you’ll be eager to learn more about the different farming methodologies employed here.
You might also gain some insight into how to improve your food waste management via composting and biodigester (a contained system where microorganisms transform organic material into biogas and fertilizer).
As for your children, there are many farm animals that will keep them busy. Truly, a farm tour is a great way to bond as a family!
Do keep in mind that farm tours in City Sprouts tend to sell out fast. So, if you’re interested, be sure to book your spot via their website ASAP.
Attend an event or workshop
Another great way to spend your time in City Sprouts is by attending an event or workshop. They host several every month; just check out their events page!
The best part is that there’s a good variety of events. There are educational programs, but if you want something more hands-on, there are also immersive workshops full of engaging activities.
These events and workshops are also open to people of all ages. So, you can bring your little one with you, and together, you’ll learn the basics of urban gardening!
Volunteer
Sometimes, City Sprouts launches community initiatives that require volunteers, and if you have time to spare—and if you’re looking for a unique experience—you might want to answer that call.
Usually, volunteers work on the farm, growing and nurturing plants. Sometimes, you’ll be tasked to deliver the edible plants you’ve planted to marginalized communities, such as people with disabilities or low-income families.
Whatever work you’ll be given, it’s going to be fulfilling. So, if you want to do something good for the world, volunteering at City Sprouts is worth considering.
Secure a plot
If you’re a citizen or a permanent resident in Singapore, you might be interested in investing in a plot of land to grow your own plants. If so, then City Sprouts has a solution for you!
At City Sprouts, you can secure a farm plot and transform that into your personal green oasis. The best part is that you don’t have to be an experienced agri-preneur to do this; you’re welcome to try as a beginner!
Many people have actually leased farm plots at all City Sprouts locations, so if you’re interested in getting one for yourself, you’ll have to be on the waitlist. Check out this page to learn more.
Where to Eat
Atmosphere Thai Bistro and Bar
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 11 pm
Pricing: $$
Contact Number: +6565134611
Nestled inside City Sprouts’ community hall (formerly the school’s canteen), Atmosphere is the main dining spot available here. As you can gather from its name, this restaurant specializes in Thai cuisine.
If you don’t know what to order, I recommend starting with a green papaya salad, followed by the seafood tom yum soup. As for the main course, you can’t go wrong with crab-fried rice and the Thai Army Hot Pot.
The dishes here can get very spicy, so why not treat your taste buds to a delicious dessert after everything? The mango sticky rice is personally my favorite, but I also like the Thai milk tea waffle with ice cream.