We are here to help you experience the richness of growing your own food.
It's only in recent history that humankind has been so separated from observing, foraging, and tending the earth as a part of...well everything. Not just sustenance, but tradition, culture, spirituality, social connectedness, and more. Our minds and bodies are wired for connection with the earth. Studies show what we already intrinsically know: natural settings lower our heart rate, reduce our stress hormones, and awaken the parts of our minds dedicated to observing with all five senses - a part of the brain oft neglected by desk-job living. And what's a garden? It's a meeting place with nature - a spot that not only soothes us like a hike in the woods does, but also allows us to exercise another important human instinct: our care-taking abilities; the buzz we get from creating and "making happen."
So, when Jung said that that every human should have a plot of land, he was not flippantly throwing out an ideal, but rather acknowledging that there are parts of who we once were - and indeed who we still are -that are worth reviving.
Our clients come with the desire to make this connection, to learn, and to grow. We come with the knowledge and resources to design, implement and educate. The result is beautiful and productive gardens and landscapes that allow our clients to interact with nature and elevate their relationship with food.
Ecological Landscaping
Ecologically-minded landscaping mimics the systems in nature to promote a healthy, balanced, and natural outdoor environment. In every project we do, we focus on the use of native plants, organic materials, and the best use of what is already on your site. Additionally, we specialize in water-wise practices that move water where it is most needed and allow it to soak into the soil, nourishing plants and replenishing the ground water supply, which will protect plants and trees during dry times. A typical project may include a food garden, native plants that sustain wildlife, a water catchment setup, and berms and basins to direct and sink rain water on site.
Our Team
Melissa Wilsford, Owner & Designer
Rustic Hills Garden Co. was born out of Melissa’s love of growing food and helping others to do the same, as well as a conviction that what we eat is about more than our health - it’s tied to how we treat the planet and the people in it.
Melissa is a Certified Permaculture Designer through Midwest Permaculture, and volunteers as a Master Gardener with Hennepin County. When not working on client gardens and landscapes, she’s in her own, or spending time with her husband and three kids. The family of five lives on a half-acre backing up to Edenbrook Conservation Area in Eden Prairie, MN. “Rustic Hills” is a park bordering the conservation area that they love to hike to. This marsh and its trails, wildflowers and adventures are the inspiration behind our business name.
Andi Hayes,
Project Manager & Designer
Andi brings her education in sustainable horticulture and passion for local food to her roles as project manager and designer. With seemingly endless energy for working outdoors and digging in the dirt, Andi both designs client projects and leads our install crew to bring those designs to life.
Outside of work, Andi enjoys being a part of her neighborhood farmers market, participating in food gleaning initiatives and developing her own urban edible landscape.
Shannon Honken, Operations Assistant
Shannon is a mastermind when it comes to organizing our systems, thinking strategically and maneuvering with excellent foresight. In addition to lending her many talents to the functioning and growth of Rustic Hills, she works with our clients, suppliers and crew to ensure a smooth installation process.
Outside of work, Shannon is a backyard garden enthusiast with big dreams of turning her .25 acre homestead into a 25 acre farm. She grows enough food to feed her family and share with neighbors, despite her limited space and gregarious 140-lb Newfie.
The Rustic Hills Garden Co. Crew
Rustic Hills operates one small, tight-knit crew that gets an incredible amount of work done. Each member of this team is talented, hardworking, and also a ton of fun to be around! Whether building raised beds, laying patios, planting fruit trees, or just hauling rock and dirt, these people do it all with energy and grace. We are so thankful for their essential contributions to the work that we do!