Hi! I’m Stephanie Petersen (AKA Sunshine), owner and garden gal at Sunshine Custom Gardens. I’m a horticulturist (Iowa State ‘98) with over 20 years of experience and a vast knowledge of all kinds of plants.

When it comes to working in the industry, I’ve done a little bit of everything. In a nutshell, I’m a former associate editor at Garden Gate magazine, giving me an edge on many garden design styles and current trends. I’ve had an urban farm, CSA and greenhouse, selling produce and plants at farmers’ market from my half-acre yard in Des Moines. I’ve landscaped and maintained private and commercial gardens, worked with customers at Piney Ridge greenhouse and taught children and adults how to grow their own food in schools and community gardens. My passions are organic and sustainable practices, native plants and habitats for pollinators and wildlife, local foods and community gardening.

Some of my favorite plants are sunflowers, coleus, begonias, heirloom tomatoes and succulents. But I always like to try something new! If I’m not in the garden, you’re likely to find me working with my boyfriend at our other business, Peggy-O’s food truck, at a live music concert, cooking what I’ve grown, or being crafty.

I look forward to learning about what brings you joy in your garden and how we can make that happen!