How to organise a front garden action

A front garden action works best when planting decisions and logistics are settled before volunteers arrive. Start by surveying each garden, recording the plant selection and marking the planting areas, then order plants, soil and ground cover with enough lead time. On the day, divide the route into work zones, assign volunteers and distribute tools by section. Keep a separate safety route open, explain how to work safely and plan temporary watering for plants that cannot go straight into the ground.

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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

1
Send invitations
2 people
2
Process registrations
3
Collect dietary requirements
4
Inventory front gardens
2 people
5
Mark out planting areas
2 people
6
Inform residents
2 people
7
Record plant selection
2 people
8
Order Plants
9
Order soil and materials
10
Check tools
2 people
11
Coordinate traffic measures
12
Assign volunteers
13
Create the route and work zones
2 people
14
Do the shopping
2 people
15
Pick up plants
2 people
16
Receive Ground Cover
2 people
17
Water plants temporarily
2 people
18
Prepare work materials
2 people
19
Prepare coffee and tea
2 people
20
Set out lunch and drinks
3 people
21
Set up the tables and tent
4 people
22
Mark off the safety route
3 people
23
Distribute tools by section
3 people

Event

24
Receive participants
3 people
25
Explain work safety
2 people
26
Assign work areas
2 people
27
Remove old plantings
6 people
28
Dig out plant beds
8 people
29
Collect disposal soil
4 people
30
Distribute new soil
6 people
31
Set out plants
4 people
32
Plant in the ground
10 people
33
Water the plants
4 people
34
Finish the work areas
6 people
35
Serve lunch and snacks
3 people
36
Refill drinks
2 people
37
Collect waste along the way
2 people
38
Serve community meal
4 people

Aftercare

39
Collect tools
3 people
40
Clean the street and sidewalk
5 people
41
Take down tables and tent
4 people
42
Take out the trash
2 people
43
Wash dishes
3 people
44
Store materials dry
2 people
45
Clean tools
3 people
46
Return borrowed items
2 people
47
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

Survey every front garden before ordering anything. Record the planting area, preferred plants and any access restrictions so the number of plants, shrubs, compost and soil matches the actual work.
Set the route and work zones before the event day. Mark planting areas in advance, keep barriers and warning signs at crossings, and leave one clearly marked route for pedestrians and residents.
Assign volunteers by section rather than creating one large work group. Each zone needs people for digging, moving materials, planting, watering and keeping tools together; give them a safety vest and the tools they need at the start.
Arrange deliveries and collection in a fixed sequence. Plants, soil and ground cover should arrive before planting begins, while plants collected from another location need a shaded place and temporary watering if there is a delay.
Plan food and registration around the work schedule. Prepare coffee, tea, lunch and drinks before participants arrive, keep dietary requirements with the registration list, and set up tables and a tent away from the active work zones.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a front garden action?: Allow at least 3 to 4 weeks for registrations, garden surveys, plant selection, resident information and ordering materials. Confirm deliveries and volunteer assignments during the final week.
How do I organise planting zones for a front garden action?: Survey each garden first, then mark the planting areas before the event. Create one work zone per street section or group of nearby gardens, with a route map and a named volunteer lead for each zone.
What should happen on the morning of the garden action?: Set up the tables and tent, mark the safety route, place barriers and warning signs, and distribute tools before participants arrive. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for registration and a short safety explanation before work starts.
How many tools do I need for a community planting day?: Plan the tools by work zone rather than by total attendance. For every group of 5 to 6 people, provide at least one shovel, rake, hand shovel, bucket and watering can, then add wheelbarrows and hoses where materials or water must travel farther.

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.