Hi, my name is Erica. I started The Little Shovel because I was searching for a different kind of landscape design experience than I could find. I wanted a garden that felt richly planted and thoughtfully composed—where plants were chosen not only for their individual beauty, but for the way they complemented one another and created interest throughout Montana's six-month growing season.

Design is a process of discovery. Each season reveals new relationships between plants, light, and the ways people actually use a space. Those observations continue to shape my work, guiding each landscape toward a composition that is both beautiful and ecologically resilient. The result is a garden that people genuinely enjoy spending time in.

I hold a BA in Environmental Studies from Montana State University, where I focused on sustainable food systems. Early in my career, I worked with permaculture designer Dave Jacke on the design team for the 6th Ward Edible Garden Park in Helena, Montana. I later completed the Certificate of Merit in Landscape Design program at Longwood Gardens and am a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.

In 2021, I transformed a dirt lot beside my home into a layered pollinator garden using a mix of Montana native and climate-adapted plants. The garden continues to evolve each season and serves as both my living laboratory and a continual source of inspiration.