What to Buy for a Tiny Forest Planting Day

A Tiny Forest Planting Day needs more than saplings and shovels. Plan supplies for registration, safe planting, watering, breaks and weather protection, so volunteers can start work as soon as they arrive. Count tools by planting group rather than buying one for every person, and reserve bulky items such as party tents, tables and wheelbarrows early. The lists below cover the practical equipment, plant materials, food service items and setup supplies needed for the day.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 30
Picnic benchesqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8

Equipment

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable soup bowlsqty 70
Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable cutleryqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 6

Kitchen

Soup kettlesqty 3
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving traysqty 6

Tools

Shovelsqty 20
Scoopsqty 12
Rakesqty 8
Wheelbarrowsqty 4
Bucketsqty 12
Watering canqty 8
Work glovesqty 40
Measuring tapesqty 4
Wooden plant stakesqty 20

Plant material

Tree and shrub saplingsqty 100
Forest plantsqty 180
Compostqty 3
Wood chipsqty 10

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety gogglesqty 20
Work jacketsqty 10
Traffic conesqty 12
Barrier tapeqty 4

Decorations

Info boardsqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Name stickersqty 80

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up basinsqty 3
Dustpans and brushesqty 3
Mopsqty 3

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Honey - 2 jars
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Still water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 liters
- Orange juice - 6 liters
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- Carrots - 5 kilos
- Leeks - 3 kilos
- Onions - 3 kilos
- Celery - 2 bunches
- Potatoes - 6 kilos
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Red lentils - 2 kilos
- Coconut milk - 6 cans
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Cumin - 1 jar
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Parsley - 4 bunches
- Whole wheat bread - 12 loaves
- Hummus - 10 tubs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Butter - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Muesli bars - 80 pieces
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Cleaning sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tips

Allow one shovel, scoop or rake for every two to three active planters, then add at least one wheelbarrow and several buckets for each planting area. This prevents volunteers from queueing at the tool table.
Bring enough tree and shrub saplings for every marked plot, plus wooden plant stakes to identify sections during planting. Separate the plant material by section before participants arrive, rather than sorting it during the activity.
For a morning event, plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Keep chilled drinks in coolers and set out reusable cups beside the coffee and tea station.
Prepare one reusable plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per attendee, plus roughly 10% extra for replacements. Soup kettles, serving spoons, trays, cutting boards and bread knives are easy to overlook when the food is prepared away from the planting area.
Reserve party tents, folding tables and extension cords several days ahead, especially if rain is possible. Add LED lamps or string lights when volunteers may still be setting up or packing down in low light.

Frequently asked questions

What tools do I need for a Tiny Forest Planting Day?: For a group of 20 planters, start with about 7 to 10 shovels, scoops and rakes in total, then add one or two wheelbarrows, several buckets, watering cans, measuring tapes and wooden plant stakes. Provide work gloves for every participant, with at least two spare pairs.
How many plants should I buy for a Tiny Forest planting day?: Buy enough tree and shrub saplings to fill every marked plot in the planting plan. Confirm the final quantity at least one week before the event, because the number depends on the plot size and planting layout rather than the number of volunteers.
How many cups, plates and bowls do I need?: Count one reusable cup, plate, bowl and cutlery set per registered participant, then add 10% extra. For 30 people, that means at least 33 of each item so replacements are available without interrupting the meal.
When should I reserve tents, tables and planting tools?: Reserve party tents, tables, chairs, wheelbarrows and other bulky equipment at least one week before the planting day. Check the weather forecast 48 hours beforehand and confirm access, power needs and collection or delivery times.

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