Complete Backyard Rebuild with Paver Patio and Boulder Wall in West St. Paul

Here's what we were working with - an outdated paver patio and steps, poor drainage, and a yard that just wasn't set up to function well. The whole space needed to be torn out and rethought from scratch. That meant a full property regrade before anything else could happen. Getting the layout and drainage right first is what makes everything else hold up long-term.

Once the ground was properly shaped, we built a glacial fieldstone boulder wall to handle the grade change between the upper and lower areas of the yard. That's not just a design choice - it's a natural, durable retaining solution that fits the character of the property way better than a block wall ever would. The boulders sit right alongside new paver steps, tying the levels together cleanly.

For the patio and walkways, we used County Materials Timeless Serenity pavers with County's Legacy border paver - both sealed with Sentinel for long-term protection and a finished look. The pavers run from the back patio all the way through the side yard passage, creating a connected path that actually makes sense to walk. Fresh sod from Jirik Sod Farms, western red cedar mulch, pollinator-friendly plants, and underground drain boxes with pipe round out the landscaping side of things.

Then there's the lighting. Low-voltage landscape fixtures were placed throughout the patio, side yard walkway, and planting beds. At night, this space looks completely different - the path through the side yard especially. What was a dark, forgettable strip between the house and the garage is now one of the best-looking parts of the property after dark. It's the kind of detail that doesn't cost a lot relative to the overall project but makes a huge difference in how the space feels.

Every piece of this job - from the boulder wall to the paver field to the plantings - was sourced through reliable local suppliers and built with the same attention to detail we put into every project. When everything is done right at each step, the finished product speaks for itself.