Sky Gardening Challenge launches for 2025

Pictured (from left) are: Dale Taylor, Learning and Development Coordinator FCHO, Victoria Holden from Northern Lily, Andrew Holden, Northern Lily and Tracey Kall, Northern Lily volunteer

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has partnered with the National Trust once again to launch the annual Sky Gardening Challenge for its customers.

The free competition taking place across Greater Manchester this summer gives FCHO tenants the chance to transform their balcony or window ledge into a thing of natural beauty.

This year, customers in Oldham's high rise Littlemoor and Montgomery Houses are taking part.

Entries can be flowers in planters or growing fruit and vegetables - the sky is literally the limit.

To help, FCHO is providing planters and financially supporting workshops - run by Failsworth social enterprise Northern Lily - to give out handy gardening hints.

The first one took place at Beulah Church Community Room on Saturday.

Director of Northern Lily Victoria Holden said: “It’s important for everyone to have nature around them, especially in urban areas.

“These workshops show people who have never gardened before how they can get started on greening their balcony.”

Two further workshops will take place at Veg in the Park, Waterhead Park - already home to a dedicated growing area - on May 17 and 24.

Dale Taylor, FCHO’s Learning and Development co-ordinator, added: “We’re delighted to be working with the National Trust again this year after the successful Sky Gardening Challenge in Eldon and Barker Street in 2024.

“This project is following on from our successful Great British Spring Clean as we work with our customers to love where they live and learn new skills.

“I hope they will come to our workshops over the coming weeks, meet their neighbours, make friends and enter the competition.”

Sky Gardening Challenge kicks off on June 12 - when categories will be announced - and ends on July 31.

More information can be found here

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