What to Buy for a Gardening Workshop

A gardening workshop needs more than seeds and soil. You will need enough tools for people to work at the same time, plus pots, trays, gloves and a clear way to portion plants and materials. Plan your quantities from the registered participant list, then add a small buffer for breakages, spills and late arrivals. Refreshments, table protection and easy access to water are easy to overlook when shopping for a hands-on session.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Work tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 24
Tableclothqty 8
Parasolqty 2

Gardening equipment

Hand shovelsqty 12
Garden rakesqty 6
Plant sprayersqty 6
Pitchersqty 6
Pruning shearsqty 6
Work binsqty 12
Growing potsqty 48
Plant saucersqty 48
Watering traysqty 6
Work glovesqty 24
Garden trowelsqty 12
Knee padsqty 12
Wheelbarrow
Bucketsqty 6
Tool binsqty 4

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 30
Drinking glassesqty 30
Platesqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee makerqty 2
Kettleqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Decorations

Name badgesqty 30
Table runnersqty 6
Information boardqty 2

Cleaning

Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Potting soil - 8 bags
- Compost - 2 bags
- Herb seeds - 12 packets
- Vegetable seeds - 12 packets
- Flower seeds - 12 packets
- Herb plants - 24 pieces
- Organic plant food - 2 bottles
- Plant labels - 60 pieces
- Bamboo skewers - 60 pieces
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 liter
- Grape juice - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- White bread - 3 loaves
- Young cheese - 1,5 kilo
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Chicken breast topping - 1 kilo
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cake - 4 pieces
- Butter cookies - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Bananas - 2 kilos
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 3 packs

Tips

Allow one hand trowel, pair of work gloves and growing pot per participant if everyone will plant individually. Add two or three spare sets so the workshop does not stop when equipment is misplaced or damaged.
Buy enough potting soil and compost for the planned pots, with roughly 2–3 litres of growing medium per medium-sized pot. Keep extra soil in buckets or work bins rather than opening every bag at once.
Provide one work surface for every 4–6 participants and leave clear aisles between tables. Tablecloths protect the surfaces, while watering trays and plant saucers prevent wet soil and water from spreading.
Prepare one plant sprayer or shared watering point for every 6–8 participants. Watering trays, pitchers and buckets help prevent queues, especially during the final planting and watering stage.
For a two-hour workshop, plan around 2 drinks per person, including coffee or tea, plus water. Set out cups, glasses, plates and cutlery before participants arrive; serving spoons and bread knives are commonly forgotten when refreshments include snacks.

Frequently asked questions

How many gardening tools do I need per participant?: For individual planting, provide one hand trowel, one pair of work gloves and one growing pot per person. Add at least 2–3 spare tool sets for every 20 participants, especially if children or first-time gardeners are attending.
How much soil do I need for a gardening workshop?: Allow about 2–3 litres of potting soil and compost per medium-sized pot, then add 15–20% extra for spills and overfilling. For 20 participants, that means roughly 48–72 litres in total.
How many tables are needed for a gardening workshop?: Use one work table for every 4–6 participants, depending on the size of the pots and tools. For 20 people, plan on 4–5 work tables and enough chairs for everyone, while keeping the aisles clear.
What refreshments should I buy for a two-hour gardening workshop?: Plan about 2 drinks per person for the session, including coffee, tea and water. For 20 participants, prepare at least 40 servings, plus a small reserve, and buy cups, glasses, plates, cutlery and serving utensils before the day.

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