- National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge invites people in flats and apartments in Birmingham to give gardening a go by planting something this spring/summer to help green their cities, improve biodiversity and support wellbeing
- Research estimates balconies in England and Wales cover the equivalent of 250 football pitches offering huge potential for ‘pollinator pit stops’
- The Cloud Gardener, aka Jason Williams, backs the Challenge and its mental and physical health benefits
- People can sign up to the Challenge https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sky-gardening-challenge and receive a free handbook, packet of seeds, regular hints and tips and the chance to enter a competition opening this June
National Trust is launching its Sky Gardening Challenge on 23 April, encouraging people living in flats and apartments across Birmingham to get growing. From sowing seeds and planting balcony pots to adding window boxes, the initiative aims to support both nature and personal wellbeing. By introducing more plants into urban spaces, it helps create pockets of greenery in areas where access to nature can be limited.
Following a successful pilot in Greater Manchester in 2025, the National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge returns this year and is now open to residents in Birmingham and the Midlands to spend time with nature by planting something. Watching even the smallest seedling grow can bring an immense amount of joy.
Research by the University of Manchester found that there could be well over 430k balconies across England and Wales covering a total area of 177.3 ha (equivalent to around 250 football pitches) which could be green oases. This doesn’t include other spaces such as Juliet balconies, windowsills, walkways and terraces, which people in flats may also be able to green.
Planting these spaces with flowers could support millions of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and beetles, which are a crucial part of the ecosystem, providing food for other creatures and pollinating many plants.
Working closely with award-winning balcony gardener Jason Williams (known as The Cloud Gardener) the National Trust is highlighting how planting in these outdoor spaces can benefit residents by improving their wellbeing as well as creating a network of green space across towns and cities.
Jason says:
“I began transforming my 18th floor balcony in lockdown in 2020. What I hadn’t realised is that being so high up, it is several degrees warmer than being on the ground floor, so I have my own micro-climate and I have learnt what works for my balcony.
“Access to nature is great for our mental and physical health and I have loved transforming my balcony. Since planting my first marigold, it has led to a new career. I’m so pleased to be working with the National Trust on their Sky Gardening Challenge as it’s my passion to improve biodiversity in our cities.”
The campaign aims to support people to give it a go whether that is by growing herbs, vegetables or flowers from seed or creating a bug hotel. Planting up even the smallest space can create a pit stop for pollinators and by enhancing the space people could boost their mood and mental health too.
Workshops guiding residents to plant up pots with herbs, bulbs, or perennials, will be held in various locations across the country, thanks to support from L&G. Workshops will be taking place in Druid’s Heath in collaboration with A level Playing Field, the Arts & Well Being Project in Druids Heath, and at the National Trust’s Back to Backs, and will share the basics of balcony and window box gardening and how to grow your own food.
Residents who are interested in taking part in the National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge can sign up on via nationaltrust.org.uk/sky-gardening-challenge to receive a free handbook, packet of seeds and a regular newsletter with hints and tips and information about workshops. They will also be able to take part in a competition launching in June and the winners will be invited to a celebration event in October.
Director General of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, says:
“Nature has mattered to the National Trust right from the start. Our founder Octavia Hill campaigned to protect green spaces, especially for people living in cities. She knew, and we know, that access to green places is hugely important for our wellbeing. And of course, nature needs our help now more than ever.
“That’s why I’m really happy that we’re rolling out National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge nationally this year. Previous participants told us how much they enjoyed the Challenge and I’m looking forward to seeing even more people get involved, feel the benefits and make a difference to people and nature in their neighbourhood.”
Sign up to the National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge and find further details here https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sky-gardening-challenge
Follow National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge on Instagram and Facebook.
