Our Team


DEBBIE STAVISH, Owner, began her gardening career in 2000 and has owned and operated Deb's Gardening since 2004. Deb brings a strong work ethic and passion for both landscaping and gardening to Deb's Gardening clients. She works with her hands, plants seeds, watches for growth, waters the hedges and understands the seasons. This gardener is in touch with the earth and understands the seasons. Her best clients love their outdoor spaces and desire caretakers who are passionate and professional.

Deb is active in the gardening and landscaping communities and stays current with landscaping education by attending yearly seminars and conferences such as ProGreen Expo and Pike to Peak Landscape Symposium. She is a member of ALCC, a certified Professional Gardener, a Colorado Master Gardener, and possesses a "Seal of Knowledge" in Best Management Practices. In addition, she is a member of Rick's Nursery gardener's forum.

Deb's Gardening has been awarded several Excellence in Landscape awards by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado and is a highly regarded association member.

Seal of Knowledge
Feb ’06 Deb received her “Seal of Knowledge” for Best Management Practices which recognizes her professional knowledge and commitment to water conservation and water quality protection in Colorado. This includes what Governor Owens has officially recognized and proclaimed as “state-of-the-art practices for water conservation and water quality protection that help to ensure the future viability of our great state.”

In addition to running her business, Debbie is Mom to Aidan. She is dedicated to sharing her gardening knowledge and education with her community and acts as Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School’s Gardening Chairperson. She loves mountain biking and hopes to someday race.

ELAINE PERKINS is a professional gardener with Deb's Gardening. Deb met Elaine in 1999 when they worked together on a small but special gardening crew. Deb thought often how lucky she would be to once again work with someone as hard working, knowledgeable, and sincere as Elaine, who is now in her fourth season with Deb's Gardening. Elaine will obtain her Colorado Gardener Certificate this May.

In addition to being a gardener for Deb's Gardening, Elaine is the Lead Firefighter for the USAF Academy Fire & Emergency Services. Elaine's creativity is also revealed in the very unique "Diaper Cakes" she makes for baby showers, gifts, and special events. Elaine is Mom to twins Psymon and Zayne and enjoys life with husband, Travis, who is also a firefighter.

TIP HARRIS has been a professional gardener with Deb's Gardening for three seasons. Tip's enthusiasm, hard work, and true love of gardening is evident in all he does for our clients. Tip attends many educational seminars pertinent to our industry and is always learning and sharing his knowledge.

Tip is the Sensei at Pikes Peak Aikido with more than 20 years of practicing and teaching Aikido. All on our crew aspire to be as full of energy and in the great physical shape Tip possesses (even though he says he is the "old guy" on our team). Tip and his wife LaVonne enjoy their leisure time at their mountain cabin in Grand Lake, traveling the world, and spending time with their family.

MATT SHAW returns to Deb's Gardening for his 5th season this year. Matt is the one on our crew who can do anything- from trimming a delicate flower to laying tons of flagstone for a patio creation. He helps us with our irrigation needs and acts as our handyman. Matt's even-keel personality combined with hard work is most appreciated by many of our clients.
A UCCS graduate with a degree in Recording Arts, Matt is applying his love for media by making music with his band Leftmore. He spends part of his year traveling the country and sharing his passion for music.

LINDA HODGES is a professional gardener at Deb's Gardening. Deb met Linda while working on the small gardening crew (along with Elaine). Linda is our nature girl. In addition to working for us, Linda is employed with the Trails and Open Space Coalition but we are lucky that she gives a couple of days per week to our team. Linda's knowledge of our environment and its value contriubutes greatly to the philosophy and work of our company.
Linda can be found hiking many of the Colorado Springs trails with her dog, Trapper. This is Linda's second year with Deb's Gardening.

JESSICA WENTLING is the Lead Gardener and Vegetable Garden Designer for Deb's Gardening. This is her fourth season with our company. Jess is very involved with our clients and knows each of their gardens like the back of her hand. Jess's years of home vegetable gardening and education allow her to create custom designs for clients desiring to grow their own food. Jess will receive her Colorado Gardener's Certificate from in March of this year. This certificate ensures Jess's gardening knowledge is based on highly researched information in addition to hands-on experience.
On the side, Jess is a 'Martha Stewart'. She has an amazing vegetable garden and provides friends with delicious edibles from her harvests. She enjoys cooking, baking, and entertaining, and has provided wonderous parties and events for company and client functions.