Sowing the seeds of love

Some people just have the gift of green.

Winnipegger Mila Maximets is one of those people.

She and hubby Robert, (who does the heavy lifting and builds stuff), have created paradise in their own backyard.

Their yard is a work of art and simply stunning.

And although it may look as though this creation is part of some Butchart-type acreage, it’s actually on an average size lot just 10 minutes from downtown. Seems impossible, but such is the power of illusion.

Mila comes by her passion for planting and growing things honestly. As a young girl growing up in Ukraine, she spent a lot of time at her Grandmother Maria’s humble home, a small cabin on relatively barren ground — barren everywhere but grandma’s yard, that is.

The soil there was quite sandy and dry, but grandma was determined. She planted fruit trees a-plenty, some pretty flowers, and each year enjoyed a bountiful harvest of cherries, grapes, peaches and more, all made possible by personally hauling water non-stop from a local well. Grandma’s yard stood out like an oasis in an otherwise fairly bland neighbourhood, and had many admirers.

So then it comes as no surprise that Mila’s mom Galina carried the gift of green forward by becoming a scientist tasked with the challenge of creating a better variety of grapes for her Black Sea-area homeland.

Then when Mila and Robert moved into their present home many years ago, Mila immediately grabbed a shovel, dug countless holes, and has just never stopped planting.

She says when people visit their yard for the first time they’re usually somewhat gobsmacked by the beauty of it all, and are often inspired to create something similar at their own home.

"I tell them they can do it," says Mila, "and encourage them to develop a plan of some sort, start small, then just get at it and never stop. It’s a labour of love for sure," she says, "but so worth it."

I ask if winter sits heavy on her soul.

She laughed and replied, "No, I do miss my yard and garden time of course, but I’ve made a habit of planting trees and bushes that remain green year round, evergreens, spruce, junipers, and those keep my spirits up over the cold winter months."

I think I’d have to live in a massive forest of evergreens to have that work for me. Maybe I’ll go hang around Mila’s yard some — until they’ve had enough Mustard.

In case you’re wondering if there’s a theme of sorts for Mila’s oasis, there is. "I’m trying to give it kind of a Japanese flavour, but then also incorporating some of the beauty of our Prairies, especially including some of the plants that attract and support our butterfly population. It seems to be working out OK."

One of this summer’s projects was Mila painting a beautiful "tree of life" on what was once intended to be the concrete pad for a garage. Presently she has a task in mind for Robert, which is to grab his tools and start building a bench. Not just any bench of course, one designed by Mila to fit perfectly with the ambience that makes their little piece of paradise such a showplace.

Congrats on creating such a stunning space you two. Simply spectacular.

Meanwhile, my main outdoor project of late has been keeping a pail full of water available for the deer and other local critters through this recent hot spell. I put apples in it from my tree to give the bees something to land on to get a drink without drowning and the deer bob for them while getting a sip or two.

Have a great weekend. Plant something!

Comments and column ideas welcome.

lmustard1948@gmail.com