Green fingered residents bring balconies to life

Balconies across Salford and Greater Manchester have been bursting into life thanks to the National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge. The challenge was a city-wide initiative encouraging residents to transform their high-rise spaces into miniature green havens.  

Supported by Salix Homes, the project invited everyone from complete beginners to seasoned gardeners, to experiment with balcony and small-space gardening, and discover the wellbeing benefits of connecting with nature. 

As part of the initiative, the National Trust launched a competition featuring five categories: One Pot Power, Wild About Wildlife, Urban Farming, Greener Ground Floors, and Cultivating Creativity. Entrants were invited to share their balcony gardening journeys, whether they were growing tomatoes in tubs, creating wildlife-friendly corners, or experimenting with colourful container displays. 

Salix Homes customers embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Residents Gary and Maureen were crowned winners of the Greener Ground Floors category for their impressive ground-level green space.  

Another Salix Homes customer, Frasier, received a special judges’ commendation in the Urban Farmer category for his innovative use of grow lights to cultivate plants on a shady window ledge, an example of passion and ingenuity in less-than-ideal growing conditions. 

Warren Carlon, Director of Communities at Salix Homes added: “We’re delighted to support the Sky Gardening Challenge and to work with the National Trust to inspire our customers living in high-rise homes across Salford to embrace urban greening.  

“The initiative has given people a valuable chance to reconnect with nature and boost their wellbeing, while proving that you don’t need a traditional garden to grow your own produce or enjoy green spaces. Congratulations to all our customers who won prizes.” The Sky Gardening Challenge has so far run as a pilot in Greater Manchester, but with such positive engagement, the National Trust hopes to expand the scheme more widely in 2026 and beyond. 

Visit the National Trust website to find out more about their Sky Gardening Challenge.