Local gardeners are at the forefront of keeping the city bright and green every year. To honor their achievements and the beautiful yards they create, the Yorkton in Bloom awards recognize the best yards in the city each year. This year's award winners were announced at the recent Silver Heights Party in the Park.
The winners for best back yard for 2011 were Dave and Georgette Kluk, for their home on Matheson Cres. Georgette Kluk says they began working on their yard seven years ago in preparation for a daughter's wedding, and they wanted a nice yard for guests. In the seven years since, they have continued working in the yard because they enjoy it.
The design of the landscaping keeps the focal point on the trees which were already in the yard.
"I was trying to create a woodland garden, because it's really shady back here and you need to use plants that like shade," Kluk explains.
One change they have made this year is a move to a container garden. Kluk explains that she didn't want to weed and or be on her knees all the time, so the different style of garden, with plants higher up, is easier to take care of.
She says that they made the yard what it is because that's what they enjoy, and feel that the award for best back yard is a one time thing.
The complete list of winners is as follows, with the Golden Bloom awards being presented to participants 75 years of age or older:
Best Home Front Yard, Pleasant Ave. - Bev Yaschuk.
Best Vegetable Garden & Honourable Mention for Back Yard, 47 Cedarwood Crescent - Natalie Bylsma.
Best Senior Housing Unit, 140 Jubilee Crescent --- Florence Matechuk.
Golden Bloom, Best Mobile Home, 30 Johnston Bay - Sheila & Gordon Harris.
Golden Bloom, Best Home Front Yard, 95 Wellington Ave. - Sonja Pawliw.
Best Senior Housing Complex, Fisher Court
Best Senior Deck/Balcony & Honourable Mention for Senior Housing Complex, Queen Elizabeth Court, 3rd floor deck.
Golden Bloom, Best Back Yard & Best Vegetable Garden, 5 Deleare Drive - Sylvia & John Bodnar.
Best Home Back Yard , 122 Matheson Crescent - Dave and Georgette Kluk.
