Tiered Boulder Walls and Privacy Berm Done Right in New Brighton

Grade changes are one of those things that look simple on paper but get complicated fast. Slopes that aren't managed correctly lead to erosion, runoff, and yards that just don't function the way they should. This New Brighton yard had exactly that kind of challenge - and we built it out with small tiered boulder walls to step the grade down in a way that's both practical and easy on the eyes.

The boulder walls themselves do the heavy lifting. They hold back the soil, create defined planting beds, and give the whole area a sense of structure that a plain slope never could. Fresh dark mulch fills the beds between tiers, and we worked in ornamental grasses and other plants that'll fill in nicely over time. It's the kind of detail work that makes a yard feel finished rather than just functional.

The privacy berm on the other side of the yard is where things really come together. We built up the grade, edged it clean with stone, laid down dark mulch, and planted a row of arborvitaes that will grow into a solid natural screen. Right now they're young, but that's the point - give them a season or two and this becomes a genuinely private outdoor space. The seeded areas in front will green up and tie everything together.

What we love about this kind of work is that it solves real problems. You get erosion control, better use of sloped or awkward yard space, a privacy buffer, and planting beds that are actually set up to thrive. And it all holds up. Boulder walls don't shift or crack like cheaper alternatives, and arborvitaes are low-maintenance once they're established.