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We all know how important it is to get the community involved in estate regeneration projects but, until recently, tenant participation has tended to focus on housing design or kitchen layouts. Community planting schemes can be just as important.

There is a growing interest in the design of open spaces among residents' associations and, just this week, the government's architecture watchdog urged the sector to include green spaces in regeneration efforts. But apart from anything else, gardening is fun and planting something for the future is very rewarding.

Paying for it
First, get your funding sorted. The New Opportunities Fund, a major distributor of National Lottery grants, has a number of funding opportunities for environmental improvements under its Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities initiative.

One such element is the People's Places Award Scheme, which is administered for the New Opportunities Fund by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. This scheme has £6.5m of grant funding to hand out between now and 2006. Other potential sources of funding are the New Deal for Community's Community Chest programmes where small sums of money, typically up to £2000, are available for a variety of projects.

The Groundwork Trust organisation, which has offices in most major cities, can help source funding and assist with planting days by providing training and tools.

Planning for it
Before you get digging, make sure you have the authorisations necessary to carry out the work, such as planning permission. A simple plan and covering letter to the local planning authority detailing the works will soon clarify what, if any, permissions are needed.

Check for tree preservation orders to make sure you aren't going to chop down any protected ones.

Young children can plant bulbs, adults can plant shrubs and trees, teenagers enjoy ‘scrub-bashing’

It's a good idea to look for visual signs of nearby services, such as overhead wires and poles, manhole chambers and meter covers. Ask utility companies for plans showing the location of buried services before starting work – and dig carefully!

Preparing for it
When deciding what work is to be undertaken, take into account the capabilities of the group. For example, young children can plant bulbs, annual plants and smaller shrubs; teenagers enjoy the destructiveness of "scrub bashing", the removal of overgrown hedgerows and areas of shrubs; most adults enjoy planting shrubs and trees.

Let people know what level of commitment is required and what you are hoping to achieve in the timescale – and, of course, what the rewards will be at the end of the day. Make sure everyone brings appropriate clothing, and don't forget the provisions. Supplies of hot food and drinks are always welcomed by everyone and provide an opportunity to rest aching limbs for a while.

Gardeners must warm up their muscles beforehand, especially shoulders, legs and backs. Do a "tool-box talk", covering how the equipment should be used. It is particularly important that an experienced person gives instructions on the use of mechanical equipment, such as strimmers and shredders, and on how to lift heavy items, how to dig properly to prevent muscle injuries and how to use sharp implements. Organisations such as BTCV and Groundwork are trained to instruct and can also provide the equipment.

And don't forget to make arrangements for clearing away the debris. Organise skips, rubbish bags, a man-with-a-van or the council cleansing department to take it away, but do make sure they are aware of the nature of the rubbish so it can be dealt with appropriately.