What you need for a front garden action

A front garden action needs more than plants and compost. You will also need shared tools, temporary watering equipment, safety gear and supplies for breaks. Buy or borrow materials only after checking how many gardens and volunteers are involved, then add a small buffer for damaged tools, extra soil and last-minute replacements. Keep plants, soil and ground cover separate from the equipment needed to unload, distribute and work safely along the route.

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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
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea selection - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Bread - 12 loaves
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Bread rolls - 60 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 10 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples - 6 kilos
- Bananas - 4 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Yogurt - 4 liters
- Muesli - 2 kilo
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Spice mix - 2 jars
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 2 packs

Tips

Plan plants and soil by garden section, not as one mixed order. Record the selected native perennials, herbs and shrubs for each area so the delivery can be divided without guesswork.
Allow enough tools for people working at the same time, especially shovels, hand shovels, rakes and gloves. A shortfall of even 5 sets can leave volunteers waiting while others work.
Arrange water before planting starts. Garden hoses, watering cans and buckets are easy to overlook, and newly planted areas may need temporary watering until the workday is finished.
Put safety equipment where volunteers collect tools, not inside a vehicle or tent. Have safety vests, goggles, barriers, warning signs and the first aid kit ready before the first planting area opens.
Buy or collect refreshments at least 1 day ahead when possible. Coffee, tea, lunch and drinks need a serving point, while waste bins and folding tables prevent rubbish and supplies from spreading across the work zones.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a front garden action?: Plan for plants, compost, potting soil and wood chips, plus shared tools such as shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, buckets and watering equipment. Add gloves, safety vests, goggles, barriers, warning signs and a first aid kit before ordering refreshments and waste bins.
How many gardening tools do I need for a community planting day?: Match the number of active tool users to the number of volunteers working at once, rather than to total registrations. As a practical starting point, prepare 1 hand tool per active worker and at least 1 wheelbarrow and 2 buckets per work zone.
When should I order plants and soil for a front garden action?: Confirm the planting areas and plant selection before placing the order, then arrange delivery or pickup several days before the action where possible. This gives you time to check quantities, store plants temporarily and replace missing materials.
What safety supplies are needed for planting in front gardens?: Prepare safety vests, safety goggles, a first aid kit, crowd control barriers and warning signs. Set them out before participants arrive and mark the safety route before tools and plants are distributed.

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