Front Garden Action Checklist

A front garden action needs more than plants and willing helpers. You need a clear route through the gardens, confirmed planting areas, timed deliveries and enough people assigned to each work zone. Start by registering participants and recording dietary requirements, then confirm the plant and material orders before planning the working day. On the day itself, safety routes, tool distribution, temporary watering and refreshments should be ready before participants arrive.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Send invitations
2 people
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Inventory front gardens
2 people
Mark out planting areas
2 people
Inform residents
2 people
Record plant selection
2 people
Order Plants
Order soil and materials
Check tools
2 people
Coordinate traffic measures
Assign volunteers
Create the route and work zones
2 people
Do the shopping
2 people
Pick up plants
2 people
Receive Ground Cover
2 people
Water plants temporarily
2 people
Prepare work materials
2 people
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
Set out lunch and drinks
3 people
Set up the tables and tent
4 people
Mark off the safety route
3 people
Distribute tools by section
3 people

Event

Receive participants
3 people
Explain work safety
2 people
Assign work areas
2 people
Remove old plantings
6 people
Dig out plant beds
8 people
Collect disposal soil
4 people
Distribute new soil
6 people
Set out plants
4 people
Plant in the ground
10 people
Water the plants
4 people
Finish the work areas
6 people
Serve lunch and snacks
3 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Collect waste along the way
2 people
Serve community meal
4 people

Aftercare

Collect tools
3 people
Clean the street and sidewalk
5 people
Take down tables and tent
4 people
Take out the trash
2 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Store materials dry
2 people
Clean tools
3 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Explain plant aftercare
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Waste binsqty 4

Tools

Shovelsqty 8
Scoopsqty 8
Rakesqty 6
Hand shovelsqty 10
Hoesqty 4
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Bucketsqty 10
Watering canqty 6
Garden hosesqty 2
Pruning shearsqty 6
Broomqty 4
Tile nippersqty 2
Rubber malletsqty 4
Work glovesqty 30
Knee padsqty 10

Safety

Safety vestsqty 12
Safety gogglesqty 12
First aid kit
Crowd control barriersqty 8
Warning signsqty 6

Gardening equipment

Native perennialsqty 120
Herb plantsqty 30
Shrubsqty 12
Compostqty 20
Potting soilqty 20
Wood chipsqty 10
Plant labelsqty 60
Tie wireqty 2
Wooden plant supportsqty 20
Cable tiesqty 100
Plastic cratesqty 12

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable cutleryqty 60

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 6

Decorations

Info boardsqty 6
Name stickersqty 50

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Confirm registrations and dietary requirements at least 7 days before the action so you can plan lunch, drinks and volunteer numbers without last-minute changes.
Complete the garden inventory and mark planting areas before ordering plants. Record the selected plants by section, then order soil, compost, wood chips and other materials against those areas.
Collect plants and receive ground cover as close to the action as possible. Keep plants watered temporarily if they arrive early, and check that all materials are ready before volunteers are assigned.
Create the route and work zones before setting up tables and the tent. Mark the safety route with barriers and warning signs, and use safety vests where volunteers work near traffic.
Check tools by section rather than placing everything in one pile. Give each zone the tools it needs, including shovels, rakes, hand tools, gloves, knee pads and watering equipment, before explaining work safety.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I invite people to a front garden action?: Send invitations at least 2 to 3 weeks before the action. Close registrations around 7 days beforehand so you can assign volunteers, confirm dietary requirements and plan refreshments.
When should I order plants and garden materials?: Order plants, soil and other materials after the garden inventory and planting areas are confirmed, ideally 7 to 10 days before the action. Arrange plant collection or delivery within 1 to 2 days of the workday.
How many volunteers do I need for a front garden action?: Plan for at least 2 volunteers per work zone, plus 1 coordinator for registrations, route questions and safety. Add 1 person for refreshments if the action lasts longer than 3 hours.
What should be ready before participants arrive?: Set up the tent, tables, chairs, lunch and drinks at least 30 minutes before arrival. Safety routes, barriers, signs and sectioned tools should also be in place before the work-safety briefing begins.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.