Field Story: Boulder Wall and Front Yard Renewal in Wallingford, PA

Every landscape has a story, and this one in Wallingford shows what happens when structure and planting come together to solve a real problem. The front yard was dealing with water rushing toward the foundation and planting beds that were no longer working. Here’s how Mike and the crew approached it in the field.

We started by clearing everything out in front of the house. All the old plants came up so we had a clean slate.

From there, we built a two-tier boulder wall. These aren’t small stones - each one weighs close to two tons. The wall holds the slope, but the real reason for it was stormwater. It gave us a way to direct water around and out instead of letting it collect near the house.

That’s always step one. Before we put a single plant in, we make sure the water is managed. Otherwise, the best planting in the world won’t last.

Once the walls were set, we replanted the whole front - above the wall, below it, and around. The mix we used gives structure and color year-round, but it won’t burden the homeowners with a ton of upkeep. The goal is always the same: something that looks good the day we leave, and still looks good ten years later.

This Wallingford project reflects what guides every job at One Thousand Hands: solve the problems that matter first, build with permanence, and plant with an eye toward the long run. When stormwater and grading are handled up front, the planting has the best chance to thrive. If your yard faces similar challenges - water near the foundation, slopes that won’t hold, or beds that don’t last - we’d be glad to talk through options with you.