Our Mission

Native Edible Designs embraces the landscape as an evolving, living, and breathing entity with elements that work in harmony with natural laws. We strive to ensure beauty and balance with our in-depth knowledge of plant species and keen attention to detail. We pride ourselves in our ability to be attentive to evaluate individual plants and their specific needs as well as their place in the collective landscape as a whole.

Meet the Team

Owner of Native Edible Designs gardening company.

Hi, I’m Cassidy Need

Owner of Native Edible Designs

I have been working in the horticultural and agricultural fields for over a decade as a nursery manager, fine gardener, and farmworker. I graduated from URI with a degree in Plant Sciences while working full time as a landscape technician on the campus grounds.

My extensive horticultural skills & knowledge, passion for gardening, and knack for building and maintaining relationships make me a great fit for people looking for custom designs. I enjoy cultivating connected relationships with all of my clients and their gardens. Understanding your unique goals allows me to create personalized landscapes that will thrive for you and benefit the natural world.

I love working with plants and with people! I look forward to working with you to create a space for you to enjoy! 

Native Edible Designs Katie Cuthbert, crew leader and education coordinator.

Hi, I’m Katie Cuthbert

Crew Leader & Education Coordinator

Katie is a lifelong gardener, environmentalist, and insect-lover. With a formal education in environmental studies, she brings an awareness of and passion for sustainability and ecology to her work. She began her career in 2016 as a garden educator and program coordinator in Brooklyn, NY. There, she worked for organizations including the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and The Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm. During the pandemic, she transitioned her focus to gardening full-time, and spent two seasons with The Valley Gardener in upstate New York. In her free time, Katie loves to sing, spend time with her cats, draw, and work on her own freelance garden designs. She joined the Native Edible Gardens team in 2023 and is thrilled to work and learn alongside such dedicated and caring gardeners!

Native Edible Designs' Krystle Curtis, garden crew member.

Hi, I’m Krystle Curtis

Gardening Crew Member

Krystle is an outdoor enthusiast, a lover of animals, and a native of Rhode Island. She enjoyed a long career in the service industry bartending and when craft cocktails came on the scene she began to learn more about botany and the plants that were used to make them. As a result, she started gardening as a hobby and soon realized how much she enjoyed working and being outdoors. After working a season of groundskeeping, Krystle decided to turn her horticulture hobby into a career by joint our team. In her free time, Krystle enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her animals. She loves to work hard and learn new things.

About Our Work

Native Edible Designs incorporates a multilayered blend of culinary and medicinal herbs, berries, fruit trees, native perennials, annual vegetables and fruits into edible and aesthetic designs that satisfy the eyes and the taste buds. We create low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and mutually beneficial landscapes to connect people with the natural world. Our designs are deeply rooted in the principles of biomimicry, sustainability and ecology. Respect for our environment and our customers is a key principle at Native Edible Designs and we strive to embody the best qualities of expertise and professionalism.

Bumblebee on native perennial sunflower.
Native Edible Designs proudly serving Rhode Island badge.

Ways We Can Enhance Yor Garden

  • Lush seaside garden installed by Native Edible Designs.

    Installation & Renovation

    We can help you create the garden of your dreams, whether you're starting from scratch or revamping an existing space. Our experienced team will work with you to design and install a garden that's both beautiful and functional.

  • Native Edible Designs crew member working on garden maintenance.

    Maintenance

    Our garden maintenance service will keep your garden looking its best, all year round. We offer a variety of packages to fit your needs and budget, so you can relax and enjoy your garden, knowing that it's in good hands.

  • Landscape garden plan designed by Native Edible Designs.

    Planning & Design

    Get the garden of your dreams, even if you don't live in my service area or want to do the work yourself. My detailed plan will make it easy for you to create a beautiful and functional garden that you'll love for years to come.

We guarantee to produce gardens that not only enchant you, but become the blossoming sanctuary you have dreamed of.