The Garden of Rick Main and Kim Brewer

It's been nearly a month already since we set out for Yakima to visit gardens in the central desert part of our state.  Today we'll tour the last of the gardens we visited, that of Rick Main and Kim Brewer.

"Sage Bluff Heights: Inspired by a four-week trip wandering the Greek islands, Kim and Rick returned to Yakima, sold their home with its extensive 'Seattle' styled gardens, and built a Mediterranean-styled home out on a sagebrush-covered hillside."

"The steep slopes provided the ideal site for their new gardens, featuring a variety of native and drought-tolerant plantings."

"Gravel pathways meander around the 2-acre grounds, leading to a variety of seating areas and garden spots."

"A recently-added Bocce ball court provides the perfect spot to appreciate the garden's spectacular panoramic views of the mountains."

"Structures throughout the property have been created utilizing recycled and repurposed materials."   This was the second garden we toured in Yakima that had one of these wind turbine ventilators, in fact, this garden had two. 

The dessert truly is beautiful and in this area, the valley floor is greener than the surroundings because of the river that runs through it.  I was surprised to see Arundo donax thriving on the dry hill as I've always thought of as a water-loving plant.

We were lucky to have a guided tour with Rick who answered my many questions about the garden and area. 

The screen doors were carved just for the house.  Aren't they fabulous?

House jacks and a grate table. 

Kim's work. 

Garden greeters. 

Metal milk crates from a local dairy that closed make great gabion walls. 

That's Rick's reflection in the window. 

We also had the privilege of touring the inside of the art -filled  house.  The interior was as well done as the garden.

Although we arrived fifteen minutes before the closing time of the tour, we were welcomed and given a leisurely guided tour full of interesting stories of house and garden construction.

I could have stayed forever but it was time to go.  

Thanks, Rick and Kim, for opening your garden for us to enjoy.

That's the end of our day trip to central Washington.  Carmen's trunk contained a little bit of Yakima as we headed back over the mountain to the rainy (in the winter, not now!) side of the state.

Cacti and cactus fruit from Hillside Desert Botanical Gardens, a case of just-picked local peaches, some  rocks (the green bag is full of them too,) and a wind turbine ventilator found at a produce market/antique store on the way into town.