The Ground Beneath Our Feet: Why I Use Gravel and How I Keep It Looking Beautiful

Gravel is one of those humble yet hard-working elements in a garden—beautiful in its simplicity, endlessly useful, and, when done well, incredibly low maintenance.

At both Oak & Monkey Puzzle and Little Cottage on a Hill, I’ve used 20mm Tuscan gravel throughout the garden. Also known as Safari, it’s a warm-toned crushed stone that’s become my favourite. The colour is soft, layered, and earthy—never cold, never flat.

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 Why I Always Choose Tuscan (Safari) Gravel

• The colour matters. I work with a mostly monochromatic palette in my exteriors and interiors—black and white—and I’ve found that white or grey gravel can feel too stark, too cold, too dull. Tuscan, by contrast, feels alive. It shifts beautifully through the seasons, catching the warmth of autumn leaves, the softness of winter light, the exuberance of spring growth.

• 20mm with no fines. That means there are no fine particles or stone dust, which can compact and create a hard crust where weeds thrive. Instead, this gravel is free-draining and forgiving.

Angular and stable. As a crushed stone, it locks in place. Unlike round pea gravel, which rolls and shifts (and ends up in your shoes), Tuscan gravel in a 20mm aggregate stays put. I can push a wheelbarrow, move bins, even roll a wheelchair across it with ease.

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What Lies Beneath (and Why I Never Use Barrier Fabrics)

I never use weed mat or root barrier underneath gravel. It might seem like a good idea at first, but it always lifts, tears, and makes hand-weeding near impossible.

Instead, I take the time to scrape back the topsoil—removing any seed bank that might otherwise sit dormant and spring to life. Then I lay a minimum of 75mm (3 inches) of gravel for a generous, workable surface.

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How I Keep It Looking Beautiful—Without Chemicals

Gravel isn’t weed-proof, but it is easy to maintain if you stay on top of things:

• No glyphosate. Ever. It destroys soil biology, poses risks to people and animals, and has no place in a thriving garden.

• Boiling water works beautifully for small patches—especially those with deeper roots. I always empty the urn after workshops onto a few weeds.

• Flame weeding is effective—but risky. I once nearly set the studio alight, so only use on still days and with absolute care.

If short on time, pluck off the flower heads before weeds go to seed. It’s a quick win that stops them spreading while you find time for a proper clear-out.

Gravel is one of those quiet elements that holds everything together. It creates rhythm and structure, allows water to permeate, softens hard lines, and gives plants a subtle stage on which to shine.

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Curious about garden design from the ground up?

Join one of my hands-on seasonal workshops or subscribe to my newsletter for stories, tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into life at Little Cottage on a Hill.

You may want to check out my related content below:

Designing for Expansiveness: Small Space Garden Strategies at Little Cottage on a Hill– Learn how I’ve applied a series of design strategies to maximise space while ensuring a sense of expansiveness and flexibility. 

If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Thanks for being here for the journey.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

The Power of Noticing: How a Garden Wander Led Me to Morels

Wandering the garden with a cup of tea in hand is one of my favourite things to do. It’s quiet, slow, unhurried. Just a gentle loop to see what’s changed. For someone with a busy mind and restless hands, these little garden walks are the times I find myself exhaling. My thoughts begin to quiet, and my eyes tune in. I stop thinking about what I need to do next and start noticing what’s right in front of me.

That’s how I spotted them—small, textured caps pushing up through the mulch in the Wicking Bed Garden. I crouched down for a closer look. They had that unmistakable honeycombed morel look to them, but I’d never found any growing in real life despite hunting for them in all the right local spots. I sent a photo to my friend Speedy (@speedy6579), who’s an absolute encyclopaedia when it comes to all things botanical. Shared it with another of his mycologist friends, the verdict was in. Both quite certain and equally surprised that what I’d found was Morchella rufrobrunnea—the blushing morel.

It’s not every day you find morels growing in a little backyard garden in central Victoria. Daylesford no less.

They popped up right on the edge of the paths between the wicking beds, where I laid woodchips last year - a space that was lawn when we first moved here. Now, those mulched paths are quietly composting down beneath our feet, becoming rich, living soil in place. I top them up each season and let the cycle begin again. It seems the fungi have found what they need in that environment. Speedy’s advice is to leave them to mature in place, and the spores might have a chance of spreading and naturalising here.

The idea of more morels, living right here, makes me ridiculously happy.

I learnt today that all Morchella species are edible once cooked. That in itself feels like a bit of a gift.

When we lived at Oak and Monkey Puzzle, one of my favourite autumn rituals was mushroom foraging with the kids—searching the property and adjoining pine forests for Saffron Milkcaps (Lactarius deliciosus) and Slippery Jacks (Suillus luteus). Saffron and Oliver, despite being so young, became absolute pros at spotting them. With the first good autumn rains, they’d race to find the first saffron-stained stem of the season. It’s one of those memories that sticks

And now, on this tiny 515 square metre block, we’ve found morels. It feels like a kind of full circle. Unexpected, but somehow exactly right. A quiet little nod from the soil.

But what it brought up for me—once more—is how important observation is. Not just in gardening, but in everything. I’ve always been that way. Even as a kid, I was the one watching. Noticing small things. The way someone moved, the way the air changed before rain, the signs that something was about to shift. It’s how I’ve learnt to garden—not through hard and fast rules, but through paying attention. Seasons, cycles, subtle changes. All of it teaches you if you stop to notice.

It’s also where I feel the most content. I know that word gets thrown around, but I mean it in the truest sense. It’s where I feel most ‘myself’, most at peace. I’m not sure how to explain it without it sounding a bit ‘woo woo’, but it’s the closest I get to that feeling of being completely in the right place, at the right time. Part of something bigger. Connected to the ecologies of all living things.

So no, it’s not just a random mushroom sighting. For me, anyway, it’s a serendipitous reminder. That when I slow down, and pay attention—even just for a moment—the world has a way of showing us things we never expected. And that’s where the magic is.

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Workshops are slowing down a little over winter while I focus on writing the book, but if you’d like to keep in touch, the best way is through my monthly newsletter. It’s where I share what’s growing here, what I’m preserving, what I’m learning and so much more—and you’ll be the first to hear when new workshops are announced too.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Explore upcoming workshops

As always, it’s so lovely having you here,

Natasha xx

Green Manure - The Soil-Building Secret Most Gardeners Overlook

Green manure is one of the quiet achievers in my garden — and one of the most effective tools in my artillery. I’ve returned to it time and again to restore structure in compacted beds, improve soil biology, and give tired ground a season to rest and recharge.

Sometimes called cover crops, living mulch, or catch crops, green manure refers to fast-growing plants sown not for harvest, but purely for the benefit of the soil. Once they’re established, you cut them down before flowering and either dig them in or let them break down naturally on the surface.

It’s a beautifully simple process — and one that has the potential to completely transform the productivity and resilience of your garden.

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What Does Green Manure Actually Do?

Green manure works on many levels at once. It:

• Improves soil structure by breaking up compacted or heavy soils

• Feeds the soil by adding organic matter as it breaks down

• Fixes nitrogen through legumes like vetch, field peas and clover

• Suppresses weeds with dense ground cover

• Protects against erosion by shielding bare soil

• Holds moisture and supports soil microbes

Some crops, like mustard and marigold, even act as biofumigants — naturally suppressing nematodes and soil-borne diseases. It’s a gentle but powerful way to build healthier soil from the top down.

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What to Grow (and When)

The best green manure crops for your garden will depend on your climate and the time of year. Here’s a quick guide I use in my own garden in cool-temperate Victoria:

Cool-season crops (autumn–early spring):

• Field peas (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense) - also known as dun peas or forage peas

• Broad beans (Vicia faba) - also known as fava beans or tick beans

• Woolly pod vetch (Vicia villosa) - sometimes called hairy vetch or winter vetch

• Mustard (Brassica juncea, Sinapis alba) - often sold as white or brown mustard, and used as a biofumigant

• Grazing rye (Secale cereale) - also known as cereal rye or winter rye — not to be confused with ryegrass

• Oats (Avena sativa) - sometimes referred to as forage oats or cover crop oats

Warm-season crops (spring–summer):

• Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) - also known as Japanese buckwheat or summer cover crop

• Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) - sometimes called black-eyed pea or forage cowpea

• Soybean (Glycine max) - also referred to as soya or summer legume green manure

• Millet (Panicum miliaceum, Setaria italica) - includes Japanese millet, French white millet, and foxtail millet

• Lablab (Lablab purpureus) - also called hyacinth bean or dolichos lablab

• Marigold (Tagetes spp.) - including French marigold and African marigold; used as a natural pest deterrent

You can grow them as single species or in combination. I often mix oats for structure, legumes for nitrogen, and mustard to help manage pests — that balance seems to support the soil from all angles.

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How to Grow Green Manure

It’s easy to incorporate green manure into your rotation — whether you’re preparing a new garden bed or resting an existing one.

1. Clear any weeds or spent crops

2. Broadcast your seeds thickly and evenly

3. Lightly rake or cover with a layer of compost

4. Water well and keep moist during germination

5. Cut back just before flowering (6–10 weeks, depending on crop)

At this point, you can either dig the plants into the soil or, as I do, cut them down and let them become a green mulch. Over time, the roots decompose in place, creating beautiful pathways for air, water and life below the surface.

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Dig or No-Dig?

The traditional method is to slash the crop and dig it in. This speeds up decomposition and releases nutrients for the next planting.

In my garden, I do things a little differently. After a slow and thoughtful shift to no-dig practices, I now cut green manure crops at the base and leave the roots to decompose in place. The tops are laid as mulch, often with compost on top, and the bed is left to rest until the next planting. It’s a slower process, but I’ve found it strengthens the soil in the long term — especially in areas with compacted clay.

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Things to Keep in Mind

• Cut before flowering: If you leave them too long, they’ll go to seed and could become weedy.

• Allow time: Depending on your method, it can take a few weeks before the bed is ready to plant again.

• Monitor slugs: The lush growth can shelter them, especially in cooler months.

Choose manageable crops: Some, like rye, can be tough to slash and slow to break down.

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Green manure might not be the most glamorous feature of a garden, but it quietly supports everything else. It’s a gentle investment in the long-term health of your soil — something I’ve come to deeply value in my own journey as both a grower and a designer.

Used thoughtfully, it can be one of the most regenerative things we do in the garden. One season’s cover crop can lay the foundation for years of thriving productivity.

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Keen to learn more?

I’d love for you to join me at The Productive Garden Workshop, where I’ll walk you through the principles of productive garden design—green manure included! Together, we’ll explore how to nurture your soil, boost your garden’s resilience, and create something truly abundant. I can’t wait to share these practices with you and help you build a garden that thrives season after season.

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If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

You may want to check out my related content below:

Soil Testing: Know Your Soil – Understand the importance of soil testing and how it can improve your garden’s productivity in my latest blog post.

Watering Deeply: The Key to Thriving, Resilient Plants – Watch my Instagram post for tips on how deep watering can help your plants thrive and become more resilient.

Explore both for a deeper understanding of garden care!

Thanks so much for reading and for sharing this garden journey with me.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

How to Plant Garlic in Australia: A Practical Guide for Every Climate

Garlic is one of the most satisfying crops to grow. It doesn’t take up much space, it stores well, and once you’ve had homegrown garlic, the supermarket version just doesn’t compare. It’s stronger in flavour, fresher, and you know exactly how it’s been grown.

This guide walks you through how to grow garlic at home in Australia—step by step—with practical, seasonal insights and the science behind those long-held planting traditions.

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When Should You Plant Garlic in Australia?

There are two main planting windows people follow across the country:

1. March to May (autumn)

2. The winter solstice (around June 21)

Both can work well depending on your location, variety, and soil conditions.

In cool and mountain regions (like parts of Victoria, Tasmania, and the southern highlands), planting anytime from March to May gives your garlic time to establish roots before winter. Some gardeners prefer the tradition of planting on the shortest day of the year, allowing the bulbs to stay dormant through winter and take off once spring arrives.

In temperate and subtropical regions, earlier planting (from March) gives the garlic a head start before cooler days set in. The autumn equinox (around March 20–21) is often used as a reference point.

In tropical climates, garlic needs a bit more help—specifically cold treatment. You’ll need to vernalise your cloves by storing them in the fridge for 4–6 weeks before planting. Choose varieties suited to warmer conditions and be aware that bulb development can be less reliable in consistently warm climates.

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Softneck vs Hardneck Garlic: What’s the Difference?

• Softneck garlic (e.g., Artichoke, Silverskin, and Subtropical): Stores well, ideal for warmer climates, produces more cloves per bulb.

• Hardneck garlic (e.g., Turban, Creole): Suited to colder climates, often easier to peel and more complex in flavour, but doesn’t store quite as long.

Ask your local grower or seed supplier what’s worked in your region—they’ll usually know what varieties are best suited to your conditions.

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How to Plant Garlic: Step-by-Step

1. Prepare your soil

Garlic thrives in well-drained, fertile soil, ideally with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig through compost or well-aged manure and ensure good drainage—raised beds are great for this.

2. Break the bulbs into cloves

Use the largest, healthiest cloves. Leave the skin on and don’t peel them. Do this just before planting to prevent drying out.

3. Plant pointy end up

• Depth: 5 cm

• Spacing: 10–15 cm between cloves, 20–30 cm between rows

4. Water in well and mulch

Mulch with straw, sugarcane or lucerne to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and stabilise temperature.

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Caring for Garlic as It Grows

• Water consistently during active growth, especially in spring. Ease off once the leaves start to yellow.

• Feed with diluted seaweed solution or compost tea every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.

• Weed regularly—garlic doesn’t like competition, and mulch will help reduce weed pressure.

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Harvesting Garlic

Garlic is usually ready around 17–25 weeks after planting.

You’ll know it’s time to harvest when:

• The bottom leaves are yellow or brown

• The top few leaves are still green

Don’t wait until the whole plant dies back—you risk splitting or rotting in the ground.

To harvest:

• Gently loosen the soil with a fork

• Pull the bulbs carefully by the stem

• Shake off excess soil (don’t wash)

• Lay out in a shaded, well-ventilated area to dry

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Curing and Storing Garlic

Cure your garlic for 2–3 weeks in a dry, airy place out of direct sun—this helps it store well.

Once cured:

• Trim the roots

• Cut stems to your preferred length, or braid if softneck

• Store in mesh bags or baskets in a cool, dry place—never in the fridge (unless you’re vernalising for next season)

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Where to Buy Garlic for Planting in Australia

Avoid supermarket garlic—it’s often imported, fumigated, and treated to stop sprouting.

Here are trusted Australian sources for quality planting garlic:

1. The Diggers Club

Heirloom, seasonal garlic varieties for different climates.

🔗 diggers.com.au

2. Green Harvest

Certified organic garlic, with growing tips and regional suitability.

🔗 greenharvest.com.au

3. The Seed Garlic Shop

Specialises in diverse, locally adapted garlic varieties.

🔗 theseedgarlicshop.com.au

4. Garlic Kingdom Australia

Over 50 regeneratively grown garlic varieties.

🔗 garlickingdom.com.au

5. Tooley Garlic (VIC)

Disease-free planting garlic with limited national shipping.

🔗 tooleygarlic.com.au

6. Local Farmers’ Markets

A fantastic place to find garlic suited to your specific region. Many stallholders will sell garlic for planting and happily offer tips. Ask about variety, harvest time, and whether the garlic is untreated. It’s also a great way to connect with your local food community.

🌱 Pro tip: The best time to buy seed garlic is late summer to early autumn, before the season’s planting stock sells out.

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Side Note: Can You Plant Garlic Under Tomatoes?

If you’re tight on space, or working with a productive kitchen garden, you might be wondering whether garlic can be planted under your tomato plants toward the end of the season.

The answer is yes—and it’s actually a smart move.

If your tomatoes are starting to wind down with the first frosts approaching, planting garlic underneath them now makes excellent use of timing and space. Tomatoes will soon be finished, and their mature root systems won’t interfere much with the young garlic cloves. Once you remove the tomato plants—either by lifting them or cutting them off at the base—you’ll have your garlic already in place and growing steadily.

Tip: Cutting tomato plants at the base and hanging them upside down is an old-school way to allow the last fruit to ripen off the vine—without disturbing the garlic you’ve just planted underneath.

This kind of succession planting is ideal in smaller gardens. It keeps your beds working efficiently while also allowing you to stagger harvests. And if you’re resting other beds with a green manure crop, like I often do, this balance between productivity and renewal is what keeps the garden thriving year-round.

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Why I Grow My Own Garlic

There’s nothing quite like growing your own garlic—from selecting the cloves to harvesting and hanging your crop to cure. Once you’ve experienced the flavour, freshness and satisfaction of growing it yourself, you won’t go back.

You know exactly what’s gone into it (and what hasn’t). It becomes part of your pantry, your garden rhythm, and your seasonal calendar. It’s a small act of self-reliance that makes a real difference.

And if you’d like to explore more ways to grow for abundance—without chemicals, overwhelm, or waste—I cover all of this and more in The Productive Garden workshop.

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If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

You may want to check out my related content below:

From Fumigation to Flavour: What Happens to Imported Garlic Before It Reaches You – Explore the journey of garlic before it makes it to your kitchen in this insightful blog post.

Fermenting Garlic: A Recipe for Resilience – Learn how fermenting garlic can enhance its flavour and shelf life, while building resilience in your kitchen.

Dive into both for more garlic-related insights!

Thanks so much for following along.

Natasha xx,

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

From Fumigation to Flavour: What Happens to Imported Garlic Before It Reaches You

Garlic is a pantry essential in many households—prized for its bold flavour and long list of health benefits. But not all garlic is created equal. Much of the garlic sold in Australian supermarkets is imported, often from large-scale producers overseas whose post-harvest practices are significantly different from what most local consumers expect.

While those gleaming white bulbs may look fresh and perfect, their journey from paddock to plate tells a very different story—one that includes toxic fumigation, cosmetic bleaching, and processes that may strip garlic of its natural potency and nutritional benefits. Here’s what really happens to imported garlic before it lands on your plate—and why choosing Australian-grown garlic is a decision rooted in health, flavour, and sustainability.

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1. Fumigated to Comply with Biosecurity

To prevent the importation of pests and diseases, imported garlic is fumigated with methyl bromide, a highly toxic chemical used in quarantine and pre-shipment processes. This treatment is mandated by Australian quarantine regulations for many fresh produce imports.

Methyl bromide is so dangerous to the ozone layer that its use has been banned in most situations under the Montreal Protocol, with very limited exemptions for quarantine (Australian Government – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water). It’s also toxic to humans and can impact the central nervous and respiratory systems (ABC News)

2. The Health Impact: Does Fumigation Affect Garlic’s Benefits?

Garlic’s health-promoting properties—particularly its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant benefits—are largely due to a compound called allicin, which is formed when garlic is crushed or chopped.

Allicin is highly volatile and sensitive to heat, chemicals, and processing, meaning treatments like fumigation and extended cold storage can degrade or destroy its potency (The Food Coach).

For those consuming garlic for its medicinal value, particularly for gut health, immunity, or natural anti-inflammatory properties, imported garlic may not provide the same therapeutic benefits as fresh, locally grown alternatives.

3. Why Imported Garlic Looks So White: The Role of Bleaching

That perfect white bulb often found in supermarkets? It’s rarely natural. Imported garlic is frequently bleached with chlorine or other agents to give it a consistent, uniform appearance and to help disguise blemishes from long-distance travel (The Food Coach).

While this is purely cosmetic and not required by Australian consumers, it adds another layer of unnecessary chemical exposure.

4. Growth Inhibitors: Stopping Sprouts Before They Start

To keep garlic looking “fresh” for as long as possible, imported garlic is also treated with growth inhibitors to prevent sprouting in transit and on the shelf. This allows it to last longer in cold storage—often months between harvest and sale (Lambs’ Ears and Honey).

But sprouting is actually a sign of life and vitality. Garlic that can sprout shows it’s still biologically active—an indicator of freshness. The lack of sprouting in treated garlic can be a red flag that it’s been chemically altered.

5. Heavy Metals and Contaminants: A Hidden Risk?

Some imported garlic has also been found to contain residues of heavy metals like arsenic and lead, thought to be the result of polluted soil or contaminated water used during intensive industrial farming in some countries (Agent Nateur).

While not all imported garlic is contaminated, poor regulation in overseas agriculture can lead to inconsistencies in quality and safety—especially for consumers buying bulk or unlabelled garlic.

6. A Flavour (and Texture) Compromise

Those chemical treatments don’t just affect health—they also impact taste. Imported garlic often lacks the sharpness and complexity of fresh garlic, with some reporting a rubbery texture or bitter, metallic aftertaste (Agent Nateur).

In contrast, Australian-grown garlic is typically harvested and sold seasonally, with a higher moisture content, rich aroma, and full-bodied flavour—ideal for cooking, preserving, or eating raw for health.

7. Don’t Plant Imported Garlic

While it may be tempting to plant a clove from the supermarket, doing so with imported garlic can be risky. These bulbs may carry soil-borne diseases or pests not present in Australia, which could harm local ecosystems and crops.

The Australian Garlic Industry Association and biosecurity authorities strongly recommend only planting certified disease-free garlic from trusted Australian growers (ABC News).

8. How to Spot Locally Grown Garlic

Here’s how to tell if your garlic is truly Australian-grown:

• Roots still attached – Imported garlic typically has its roots removed to meet quarantine requirements.

• Seasonal availability – Australian garlic is generally harvested between November and January.

• Label check – Look for “Product of Australia” labelling, especially at markets and smaller grocers. 

• Purple or striped skin – Many Aussie varieties aren’t stark white. They may be purple-tinged or have a papery blush.

• Get to know your local grower – One of the best ways to ensure your garlic (and other produce) is truly local is to build a relationship with your farmers’ market stallholders. Ask them where and how their garlic is grown, when it was harvested, and what varieties they favour. This connection helps us stay attuned to the seasonality, effort, and ethics behind what we eat—and supports small-scale growers doing things properly. There’s something incredibly grounding about knowing exactly who grew your food.

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Why I Always Choose Local

As someone who grows garlic and teaches others to do the same, I believe food should nourish, not compromise. Garlic is a cornerstone of cooking and medicine alike—so it matters deeply where it comes from and how it’s grown.

By choosing Australian-grown garlic, you’re not only supporting our farmers and food sovereignty, you’re also selecting a product that’s free from unnecessary chemical treatments, grown in healthy soil, and full of flavour and therapeutic potential.

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Bibliography

1. Nichols, J. (2022). Fresh vs fumigated — the difference between Australian and imported Chinese garlic. ABC News.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-12-10/australian-garlic-farming-sunshine-coast-rural-christmas-gift/101682854

2. Garlic: Is Yours Bleached and Chemical-Laden? The Food Coach.

https://www.thefoodcoach.com.au/articles/?ArticleID=1283

3. Australian Garlic vs Imported Garlic – What’s the Difference? Lambs’ Ears and Honey.

https://www.lambsearsandhoney.com/australian-garlic-vs-imported-garlic-whats-the-difference/

4. Why Chinese Garlic Is Bad: The Ugly Truth. Agent Nateur.

https://www.agentnateur.com/blogs/agent-tips/why-chinese-garlic-is-bad

5. Methyl Bromide Use in Quarantine and Pre-Shipment. Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/ozone/methyl-bromide/quarantine-pre-shipment-use

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If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

You may want to check out my related content below:

Your Right To Refuse Kerbside Herbicide Spraying – Learn about your rights and how to refuse herbicide spraying in your community on Instagram.

Summer Tomato Maintenance – Watch my YouTube video for tips on keeping your summer tomatoes healthy and productive.

Check them out for more gardening insights and tips!

Thanks so much for following along.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Looking Back: A Rare Glimpse Inside Oak and Monkey Puzzle

Writing my book has become more than just a process of putting words on a page—it’s been an opportunity to reflect, to remember, and to truly see how far I’ve come. I don’t often give myself the space to do that. Like so many of us, I tend to look ahead—what’s next, what’s not quite right yet, what still needs doing. But lately, I’ve been reframing that mindset. Letting myself pause. Appreciate. Celebrate.

This before-and-after series of images from Oak and Monkey Puzzle is part of that reflection.

It’s not often I share the interiors of my homes. They feel deeply personal—quiet reflections of where I’ve been and who I’ve become. But this chapter, my life at Oak and Monkey Puzzle, shaped so much of what followed. It deserves a proper tribute.

Looking back to the photos from 2013 it still amazes me how we managed to bring this gem back to life.

A Place Steeped in Stories

Oak and Monkey Puzzle sits on land rich with history. Originally O’Connell’s store during the 1850s gold rush era, then also the Spargo Creek Post Office and later in the 1930s the local pub, the property was once a bustling hub of rural life. It was even once the recreation reserve with a cricket pitch that still quietly remains—a ghost of times long passed.

During the renovations, we uncovered so many stories hidden in the bones of the place. Layers of masonite, hessian and wallpaper peeled back to reveal an original mud filled wall—complete with fingerprints preserved like echoes of another time. Sometimes I would just stop and place my hands exactly where others had left their fingerprints and wonder who they belonged to, their stories, the trials, tribulations and successes that had brought them to that place and time. Those hidden discoveries reminded me that we were never really building something new, but instead stewarding something already full of life. Just giving it space to breathe again.

The early 1800s mud-filled wall, uncovered beneath multiple layers, predates traditional lathe and plaster construction. Here, mud was used as insulation, packed between the posts of the raw pole framework.

The Renovation Journey

Like every project I’ve lived in while renovating, it all began with a flurry of energy—then inevitably slowed somewhere around the 90% mark. It was never about perfection, though. Life was happening around the builds: the move from city to country, becoming a solo mum, building a new way of living from the ground up.

For the first year we invested time and energy into making the old girl habitable and giving her a shiny exterior but as I found myself in 2016 embarking on this life with just my two young children—with a shoestring budget and the generosity of friends—especially dear Rob from @acreofroses, who shared his building know-how and scaffolds—we chipped away at finishing each room. There’s something profoundly empowering in teaching yourself new skills out of necessity. In my case, learning how to use power tools became a kind of liberation. I built shelving for the larder, constructed brackets by hand, learnt how to line a wonky ceiling curved like the waves of a faraway sea with 4 m scaffold, nail gun and lining boards, and gradually turned what was a cold, uninsulated derelict yet history-steeped ruin into a warm, character-filled home and community hub. A forgotten jewel in a regional crown.

More Than Just a Home

The transformation of Oak and Monkey Puzzle wasn’t just about aesthetics. It was about building a life that reflected my values—creativity, sustainability, resilience, and a deep connection to place. Every layer stripped back and every board installed was a lesson in patience, perseverance and realising that I was so much ‘stronger’ than I ever could have imagined.

Looking at these before-and-after images, I’m reminded that so much is possible with a bit of vision and a whole lot of elbow grease. That with time, heart, and stubborn determination, we really can shape spaces—and lives—that feel good to be in.

A Rare Glimpse

This post offers a rare glimpse inside the old girl. The before-and-after images reflect the pace of life here—honest, imperfect, and full of intent. They capture a journey rather than a finished product, a home shaped slowly over time and filled with meaning at every stage. If you’ve followed along for a while, you’ll know my work is rarely just about gardens or buildings. It’s about living well. About crafting something meaningful, even if it takes a while.

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You may want to check out my related content below:

Oak & Monkey Puzzle: A Hub of Creativity, Community, and Connection –Explore how I embarked on a life-changing journey that brought me to Spargo Creek.

Documenting Little Cottage On A Hill: A Garden Designed by Hand – Learn how I  designed Little Cottage On A Hill  garden without a drawing.

Check them out for more gardening insights and tips!

If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Thanks for being here for the journey.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

If You Could Learn Anything From Me This Year, What Would It Be?

Help shape the next workshops—and win a seasonal syrup gift pack

Hello wonderful community,

As we ease into a slower season here at Little Cottage on a Hill, I’ve been reflecting on the workshops I’ve shared over the years—and dreaming into what might come next.

So many of you have told me how your time here (or at Oak and Monkey Puzzle) has lingered with you—whether it was making preserves in my kitchen, learning how to design the garden of your dreams, finding ways to live more attuned to the rhythm of the seasons, or simply having space to breathe, reconnect and create.

I’m feeling called to offer something new—while also reimagining a few favourites—and I’d truly love your thoughts as I shape what’s ahead.

1. Heart of the Homestead (new – I’d love your input)

This is the workshop that brings it all together—the practical, the beautiful, and the deeply personal.

A day (or perhaps a weekend?) immersed in what makes life here at Little Cottage on a Hill what it is.

We’d explore:

• Living seasonally and sustainably

• Integrating the garden with the household

• A little gentle foraging

• Making things from scratch: a medicinal syrup, a scent roller, and a preserve to take home

It’s a taster of all the things that underpin a more intentional, handmade, grounded way of living.

👉 Would this speak to you? What else would you love to learn if you were stepping into a homesteading-inspired life?

2. Preserving the Seasons (reimagined + re-offered)

This one has been one of the most frequently requested in post-workshop surveys—but oddly, it’s never quite filled up. So I’m asking:

👉 What would make this one irresistible for you?

It’s about more than jars on shelves—it’s about truly living with the seasons.

Learning the why as much as the how.

From pickles and jams to syrups, shrubs, and ferments—all rooted in what’s growing now.

Would a new name help? A more seasonal focus? A full-day format with a garden lunch and a pantry of recipes to take home?

Your feedback will help me reimagine this one in a way that truly nourishes and inspires.

3. Living a Creative Life – My Story (and yours) (a brand new offering)

This one is close to my heart. It’s something I’ve never offered before, but it feels timely.

It’s for anyone asking: How do I shape a creative, fulfilling life that’s true to who I am?

A life that draws on your passions, your place, and your values—and makes space for beauty, meaning, and contribution.

I’ll share my own journey—from award-winning design work to preserves in a tiny kitchen and seasonal living—and open the door for you to explore what might be next in your story.

But more than storytelling, this workshop is about helping you take that leap—with support.

I’ll offer the lessons I’ve learnt, the things I wish I’d known, and the practical tools, mindset shifts, and grounded planning techniques that helped me bring a vision to life.

It’s part inspiration, part action. A deeply nurturing reprieve from the busyness of life.

We’ll spend the day:

• Exploring our own stories and creative callings

• Journalling, sharing, dreaming

• Reflecting with intention and purpose

• Mapping out possibilities and tangible next steps

• Connecting in small groups

• Enjoying a seasonal lunch from the garden

• Creating something tactile to anchor your vision

👉 Would this resonate with you? Would you come—or recommend it to someone ready to shape a life that feels more aligned, more spacious, and more meaningful?

🌿 Win a Seasonal Syrup Triple Gift Pack

As a heartfelt thank you for contributing your thoughts, I’ll be gifting a Natasha Morgan Seasonal Syrup Triple Pack to one thoughtful respondent (Australian residents only).

Each syrup is handmade here at Little Cottage on a Hill—seasonal, nourishing, and made with love.

To be in the running:

• Comment below or message me directly with your thoughts on the workshop ideas

• The most thoughtful or inspiring response will receive the gift pack

• Entries close 30 April 2025

• The winner will be contacted personally

💬 Now Over to You…

If you could learn anything from me this year—what would it be?

Would it be one of the workshops above—or something else entirely?

Share your thoughts below or send me a message. Your ideas help shape what this space becomes.

If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Thanks so much for being part of this beautiful community. I can’t wait to gather with you again soon.

With love and warm hands from the garden,

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

What to Plant in April: A Regional Autumn Guide for Australian Gardeners

April is a golden moment in the gardener’s year—a pause between the heat of summer and the slowness of winter. As the leaves begin to fall and the early morning air carries a welcome crispness, it’s a perfect time to sow for the season ahead. Whether you’re nestled in a misty hillside garden, tending a small city patch, or cultivating abundance in warmer tropical soils—there’s still much to be planted, nurtured and grown.

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Temperate Zones

(Melbourne, parts of Sydney, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth)

Temperate zones offer generous growing conditions in April. The soil is still warm enough to encourage germination, while the cooler air reduces pest pressure.

Plant now:

• Leafy greens: spinach, rocket, silverbeet, lettuces, mustard greens

• Brassicas: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi

• Roots: beetroot, carrot, radish, parsnip, turnip

• Legumes: broad beans, peas (including snow and sugar snap)

• Alliums: garlic (late April onwards), leeks, spring onions

• Herbs: parsley, coriander, dill, chervil

Tips:

Prepare beds with plenty of organic matter and compost. Rotate brassica plantings to avoid clubroot and always mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

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Cool & Alpine Zones

(Daylesford, Canberra, Macedon Ranges, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands)

April is your last opportunity before the frosts to plant for winter harvests. Prioritise crops that grow quickly and are frost-hardy.

Plant now:

• Leafy greens: spinach, rocket, Asian greens, silverbeet

• Brassicas: cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale

• Roots: garlic, radish, turnip

• Legumes: broad beans, snow peas

• Herbs: coriander, parsley, thyme

Tips:

Use cloches or frost cloth (I get mine from Redpath) to protect young seedlings as night temperatures drop. Plant garlic towards the end of the month for a mid-summer harvest.

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Subtropical Zones

(Brisbane, Northern Rivers, Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg)

Autumn is a glorious time for subtropical gardens—cooler nights offer respite from humidity, and soil temperatures remain ideal for germination. (My thoughts go out to those areas currently affected by floods.)

Plant now:

• Leafy greens: lettuce, silverbeet, Asian greens, chicory

• Brassicas: cabbage, broccoli, kale

• Roots: beetroot, carrot, radish, spring onion

• Legumes: bush beans, climbing beans, peas

• Alliums: garlic (use subtropical-adapted varieties), leeks

• Herbs: coriander, dill, parsley, oregano

Tips:

Keep an eye on fungal issues—good airflow and morning watering help prevent mildew. Succession plant small batches every 2–3 weeks for a continual harvest.

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Tropical Zones

(Darwin, Cairns, Townsville, northern QLD and NT)

The end of the wet season marks the beginning of the most abundant time in a tropical garden. This is when the real productivity begins. (Sending lots of love to those in areas currently affected by floods.)

Plant now:

• Leafy greens: amaranth, kangkong, Malabar spinach, Asian greens

• Fruit vegetables: capsicum, okra, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber

• Roots: sweet potato, turmeric, ginger

• Legumes: snake beans, winged beans

• Herbs: basil, lemongrass, mint, Vietnamese coriander

Tips:

Tropical soils benefit from consistent composting. Avoid overwatering as rains subside, and choose open-pollinated, locally adapted seed varieties wherever possible.

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Arid Zones

(Alice Springs, Broken Hill, inland WA/SA/NSW)

Autumn’s cooler evenings bring much-needed relief after the extremes of summer. April is one of the most important planting times in arid regions.

Plant now:

• Leafy greens: silverbeet, spinach, lettuce, rocket

• Brassicas: cabbage, kale, broccoli

• Roots: beetroot, carrot, radish

• Legumes: broad beans, peas

• Alliums: garlic, spring onions, leeks

• Herbs: thyme, sage, parsley

Tips:

Maximise water efficiency using wicking beds, deep mulch and drip irrigation. In hot inland areas, afternoon shade from trellises or shade cloth can help seedlings establish.

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As We Turn the Page into April

Autumn planting is a gentle kind of magic. It’s about tending to what’s beneath the surface—laying the groundwork for winter resilience and spring abundance. Whether you’re planting garlic with the kids, tending a quiet patch of rocket, or sowing a tray of winter brassicas on the verandah, these small acts shape a season of sustenance and beauty.

I hope this guide supports you in your garden this month. And if you’d like to deepen your learning or grow alongside a community of like-minded growers, you’re warmly invited to explore more.

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You may want to check my related content below:

Growing Pumpkins Up: Maximising Small Spaces for a Thriving Productive Garden – Learn how to maximise small for a Thriving Productive Garden.

Growing Zucchini: Space-Saving and Pollination Tips for an Abundant Harvest – Learn how to maximise space and boost pollination for a bountiful zucchini crop in your garden.

The Joy of Growing Strawberries: A Journey Through Every Climate – Explore how to successfully grow strawberries in different climates and enjoy a sweet, seasonal harvest.

Watering Deeply: The Key to Thriving, Resilient Plants – Watch my Instagram reel for tips on how deep watering helps your plants grow stronger with deeper roots.

Growing Soil: The Foundation to Vibrant Gardens and Nutrient-Dense Plants – Dive into my blog post where I explore how healthy soil is essential for supporting vibrant, thriving plants.

If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Thanks so much for following along,

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Lessons in Abundance: Life at Little Cottage on a Hill

As featured in LOST Magazine | Story by Mahmood Fazal | Photography by Chris Turner

I’m so pleased to share a recent feature in LOST Magazine that offers a glimpse into life here at Little Cottage on a Hill — a place that continues to grow as a compact, abundant experiment in sustainable living, growing, sharing, and meaningful connection.

This article isn’t just a look at my garden — it’s a reflection on how I’ve carried the lessons from Oak & Monkey Puzzle into a much smaller space, and how the values of self-sufficiency, generosity, and seasonal living continue to shape the way I live and work today.

I’ve long admired Chris Turner’s photography, so it was a genuine joy to meet him in person through this shoot. What started as a morning of photos turned into a beautiful three-hour conversation about purpose, meaning and the work that lights us up. Chris has an uncanny way of seeing the person behind the face — and somehow capturing that with such ease and clarity. I’m truly grateful for the way he told this story through his lens.

I also feel incredibly fortunate to have been interviewed by Mahmood Fazal. His background in journalism spans some of Australia’s most respected publications, and while his work often explores big social issues, he approached this story with real generosity and care. Our conversation dug into the quieter motivations — why I live the way I do, and what I hope to offer through my garden, workshops, and everyday rhythms. It was a privilege to be in conversation with someone who brings such thoughtfulness to storytelling.

A Note from Me

When I started thinking about moving from Oak & Monkey Puzzle to Little Cottage on a Hill, it wasn’t just about relocating. It was a complete reimagining of how I live, work, and connect with the world around me.

Like many, the pandemic brought everything into sharper focus. Workshops stopped. The day-to-day ways I connected with people paused. And I was left asking: what do I actually need to live well?

Downsizing from five acres to 515 square metres felt, at first, like a risk — but it quickly became an opportunity. Could I continue to live a life grounded in beauty, abundance, and contribution on a much smaller footprint?

What I’ve discovered is that small doesn’t mean less — it can actually mean more. More intention. More creativity. More connection. In a single summer season, I’ve harvested well over 150 kilograms of produce from this garden. But just as valuable are the little moments — neighbours stopping by with cuttings, notes left at the gate, conversations that spark over the garden fence.

This garden has become my working lab — for growing, preserving, teaching, and quietly pushing back against the idea that we need more to live meaningfully. It’s a place where I share not just skills, but a way of life.

If you’d like to experience life here and this incredible space first-hand, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops. Come and walk the garden, learn something new, and connect with others creating lives rich in beauty, practicality and purpose.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

You can also read the full article from LOST Magazine below — including Chris Turner’s stunning images, and Mahmood Fazal’s generous storytelling.

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LOST Magazine Feature

Written by Mahmood Fazal | Photography by Chris Turner

Reproduced here with permission

“When Natasha Morgan moved from Oak & Monkey Puzzle to Little Cottage on a Hill in 2022, it was more than just a change of scenery. It marked a shift in the way she thought about the world.”

“During COVID, I couldn’t run workshops anymore, which was predominantly my way of connecting with the world, and so I kind of had a bit of an existential crisis,” Natasha recalls. “But at the same time, it was a bit of an epiphany. The world can be going to shit, the supermarket shelves can be bare, and as long as I have soil, sky, fresh air, and water, I actually have everything I need.”

Thanks so much for following along,

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Growing Pumpkins Up: Maximising Small Spaces for a Thriving Productive Garden

When I moved from Oak and Monkey Puzzle’s five sprawling acres to my much smaller block in Daylesford, I knew I’d need to rethink how I grew things—particularly the plants that traditionally demand a lot of space. Pumpkins, for instance, seem to have an insatiable desire to sprawl, their tendrils forever reaching, searching for more ground to cover.

But I love a challenge. And I love making the most of what I have—both in terms of space and materials. With some leftover concrete reinforcing mesh (reo) from cladding my fence for espaliered fruit trees, I wondered: could I combine the two—pumpkins and reo—to squeeze in just one more productive crop? A vegetable that would sustain us through winter in soups, curries, and more, but in a way that suited my limited space?

So, I put my idea to the test.

I bent two sheets of reo into a house-like shape, positioning them on the edges of a garden bed, securing them with star pickets, and wiring them together at the top. On one side, I planted three Coventry Jap pumpkin seedlings, raised from Lambley’s seeds. On the other, I sowed Italian flat beans—gifted seed from Lily Lagham, who rightly claimed they remain sweet and tender all the way to maturity, never turning stringy.

In a space no larger than 30 x 60cm, I’ve managed to grow three pumpkin plants—ordinarily requiring at least 2m² each—without sacrificing productivity. And the result? Not just thriving plants but beautifully architectural green structures, where pumpkins now hang like baubles on a Christmas tree, bringing a wonderful three-dimensional interest to an otherwise flat, narrow space. Their shape even echoes the geometry of my little cottage’s roof and the metal climbing frames in my wicking bed garden.

And the beans—oh, the beans! Every day, I collect another generous handful, their vines interweaving with the pumpkin tendrils that have reached the top and cascaded down the other side. It’s a happy, thriving partnership—one that makes for an equally delicious dinner.

What began as a constraint—a small space and an ever-growing list of things I long to grow—has become a feature on the verge. A simple experiment that worked so well that, with just the tiniest footprint, we’ll be enjoying sweet, rich pumpkins through the cold months and beyond. So far, there are nine beautiful pumpkins growing strong, and that feels like a pretty big win.

If you’d love to learn how to create beauty and abundance in any space—large or small—why not join me at my Productive Garden workshop? I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learned, along with practical ways to make the most of your garden. I’d love to see you there.

Explore my workshops:

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

You may want to check my related content below:

Growing Zucchini: Space-Saving and Pollination Tips for an Abundant Harvest – Learn how to maximise space and boost pollination for a bountiful zucchini crop in your garden.

The Joy of Growing Strawberries: A Journey Through Every Climate – Explore how to successfully grow strawberries in different climates and enjoy a sweet, seasonal harvest.

Check them out for more gardening tips and inspiration!

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Designing for Expansiveness: Small Space Garden Strategies at Little Cottage on a Hill

When working with a small garden, every decision counts. Thoughtful design can transform even the most compact spaces into ones that feel generous, multifunctional, and deeply connected to the landscape beyond. At Little Cottage on a Hill, I’ve applied a series of design strategies to maximise space while ensuring a sense of expansiveness and flexibility. These approaches go beyond aesthetics; they create a garden that feels large, layered, and rich in possibility.

Here are some of the key design strategies I’ve employed to make the most of my small garden:

1. Reimagining the Driveway: A Hybrid Driveway-Courtyard

A driveway is typically a single-purpose space, but I love interrogating and reimagining utilitarian elements (remember my potato composting towers?) and spaces. And so, I saw an opportunity to make my driveway work harder. By widening the driveway slightly and gravelling the entire area, I transformed it into something far more dynamic—a courtyard or forecourt that can function as both a practical circulation space and a social hub.

Now this space seamlessly transitions from its everyday function to hosting a long communal table or a fire pit, making it an extension of the garden rather than a leftover or in-between space. The choice of gravel as a surface material contributes to this sense of adaptability—it provides a structured yet informal quality, making it feel like a garden in its own right rather than merely a thoroughfare.

2. A Visually Permeable Fence: Borrowing the Landscape Beyond

Fencing can make a small space feel even more confined, but by choosing a visually permeable material, I’ve allowed the eye to travel beyond my garden’s boundary. This strategy creates a borrowed vista, extending my narrow front yard into the verge garden and further still to the rolling hills beyond. The result is a garden that feels far larger than its actual footprint.

A permeable fence also changes how light filters through, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow throughout the day—adding another dimension to the space. I chose to use Wattle and Wire for this purpose (unfortunately now recently closed after its owner’s retired! Someone please take this on as a new business idea as it’s left and huge gap in the garden design materials market!), a fencing style that blends beautifully with the landscape while providing visual openness. The delicate interplay between the woven wire and machined timbers creates a soft and organic effect, yet crisp and designerly, subtly defining the space without enclosing it. This method of fencing not only enhances the aesthetic of the garden but also supports biodiversity, offering a framework for climbing plants and a habitat for small wildlife.

3. Gravel to the Edges: Blurring Boundaries

Instead of a traditional garden bed layout, I removed the existing long boundary garden bed and extended the gravel right to the edges of the driveway space and planted clipped buxus balls and fastigiated Malus trilobata (Lebanese Crabapples - more on that below) directly into the gravel. This subtle shift in approach does two things: it visually leads the eye further, making the space feel broader, and it introduces a strong structural rhythm.

The clipped buxus balls act almost as sculptural elements—holding the space, adding year-round interest, and reinforcing the sense of considered design. The fastigiate Malus trilobata (Lebanese Crabapples) trees create verticality without adding bulk, a crucial component in small-space gardening.

4. The Power of Fastigiate Trees and a Lifted Canopy

Fastigiate trees—those with a naturally narrow, upright growth habit—are invaluable in small gardens. They provide height without sprawling, allowing them to be planted closer to boundaries without overwhelming the space. In the driveway-courtyard space, I specifically chose the fastigiate Malus trilobata (Lebanese Crabapples) for their strong verticality, drawing the eye upwards and reinforcing a sense of expansiveness.

By lifting their canopy—the uppermost layer of branches and foliage—I’ve created clear definition between the ground plane, understorey, and tree canopy. This separation not only ensures that each planting layer has its own presence but also allows more light to filter through, reducing the sense of enclosure often felt in small gardens. The canopy also plays a crucial functional role; its elevated branches provide shade while maintaining openness at the lower levels, making the space feel more generous and accessible.

This separation gives each layer of planting its own presence, reinforcing a sense of clarity and structure. It also makes the space more functional—car doors can be opened without interference, and there’s a feeling of openness rather than crowding. The fastigiate form also allows these trees to be placed closer to the fence line without encroaching into the usable space, maximising both beauty and practicality.

5. Black Fences and Green Walls: The Art of Disappearance

One of the most effective tricks in small-space design is painting fences black. Dark tones recede visually, allowing fences to ‘disappear’ rather than enclose the space. A boring raw timber paling fence can instantly be sharpened up and brought into the design language of the garden simply by painting it black (or any other very dark colour—though my preference is always for black). This transforms what could be an uninspired backdrop into a considered and elegant design feature that frames the garden rather than competing with it.

To amplify this effect, I clad my black-painted fences in reinforcing mesh (reo), using it as a trellis for Parthenocissus henryana* and Clematis to climb. The result is a living green wall that softens the boundaries of the garden and creates a lush vertical element. In small gardens, using vertical space is essential—climbers, espaliers, and green walls all help to add richness and depth without sacrificing footprint.

* Parthenocissus henryana (Chinese Virginia creeper) is a deciduous climber known for its attractive foliage, which features silvery veins on deep green leaves that turn brilliant red in autumn. It is well-suited for creating green walls and is an excellent choice for training on fences, trellises, or walls.

These strategies are just the beginning. Designing for small spaces is about making every element work harder—creating not just beauty, but flexibility, depth, and a sense of generosity in even the most compact of gardens. By implementing these techniques, I’ve transformed Little Cottage on a Hill into a space that feels far larger than its 515 square metres suggest, and I hope they inspire you to do the same in your own garden.

Thanks for following along on this journey. If you’d like to dive deeper into small-space garden design, join me for an upcoming workshop or explore my online resources.

You may want to check out my related content below:

From Forest Clearing to Town Garden: A Story of Growth – Discover the journey of transforming a space from raw nature to a thriving garden, filled with lessons and inspiration.

Landscape Lingo: The Chelsea Chop and Ways to Have Plants Look Their Best – Learn about the Chelsea Chop technique and other gardening tips to help your plants reach their full potential.

Enjoy exploring these insights for more gardening inspiration!

Natasha xx

Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or visit my website for more insights into gardening, sustainable living, and the quiet magic of growing.

Gardening Australia – The Response That Took My Breath Away

Well, gosh, I am blown away!

What an incredible response to last weekend’s feature on Gardening Australia. It was such an honour to share my story on the My Garden Path segment—an opportunity to reflect on this journey, the lessons learned, and what defines for me a life well lived.

Since it aired, my inbox has been overflowing with the kindest messages. So many comments, DMs, and emails of support. People have even stopped me in the street to say how much they enjoyed it. (Side note: If you do bump into me and I look a little awkward or laugh nervously, it’s because—maybe surprisingly—I’m actually an introvert! I love these conversations, but I’m not sure I’ll ever acclimatise to the attention.) Please know, though, that it means the world to me when you take the time to say hello, introduce yourself, or share your own story. Knowing that what I do resonates with others—that it sparks something in this crazy world—makes my day. More on that another time…

And then there are another 1000+ of you lovely humans who have found me for the first time since the episode aired! It’s truly wonderful to have you here.

A Space for Sharing, Learning, and Living Well

My hope for this space—whether you’ve been following along for years or have just arrived—is that it becomes a place where I can share the journey, skills, and knowledge I’ve built over a lifetime.

The past 12 years have been a lesson in what it really means to live well. Moving to the country, creating Oak & Monkey Puzzle—an idyllic, internationally recognised garden—navigating a pandemic, and now settling into my next chapter on a small block in Daylesford, squeezing in the very best of those country life lessons. Along the way, I’ve learned that true success has nothing to do with material things. Instead, it’s about the richness of experience, the rhythm of the seasons, and the deep contentment found in tending the land and sharing what I love.

I’ve grown more comfortable in my own skin. I’ve come to understand what an incredible gift it is to be called to the land, to plunge my hands into the soil, to create spaces that nourish both people and place. I’ve found the greatest joy in collaboration, conversation, and sharing knowledge—in those simple moments that remind me I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. The making of spaces. The passing on of skills. The quiet but profound reminder that what I do matters.

For those of you who are new here—welcome. It’s so so good to have you here. Please do reach out, say hello, and let me know what brought you here.

And if you didn’t get a chance to catch the full Gardening Australia episode, I’ve popped it right here for you to watch.

You may want to check my related content below:

Designing Gardens For All Seasons – Explore how to create a garden that evolves beautifully throughout the year.

My Favourite Ornamental Grasses: Movement, Texture, and Year-Round Interest – Discover how ornamental grasses like Miscanthus, Panicum, and Calamagrostis bring dynamic beauty to your garden through all seasons.

Explore my workshops:

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

With gratitude,

Natasha x

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

The Wicking Bed Garden: How I Harvested 100kg of Produce in 50 Days—And How You Can Too

Since January, my wicking beds have produced over 100kg (220lbs) of fresh, organic produce in just 50 days. That’s tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers, herbs, and leafy greens—all thriving with minimal watering and effort. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that wicking beds have been a game-changer in my garden.

These self-watering beds keep the soil consistently moist, reduce water use, and create the ideal conditions for strong, healthy plants. They take the guesswork out of watering and, once set up, are incredibly low-maintenance. Whether you’re growing in a backyard, courtyard, or even on a balcony, wicking beds are one of the most efficient and productive ways to grow food.

I’ve been inundated with questions about how to set up and maintain wicking beds, so I’ve put everything I’ve learned into a new Wicking Bed Garden e-book. It’s a complete guide to designing, building, and growing in wicking beds—so you can create your own self-sustaining, water-wise garden at home.

What is a Wicking Bed?

A wicking bed is a self-watering garden system that draws moisture upwards from a water reservoir at the base. Imagine a sponge soaking up water—your plants take exactly what they need when they need it.

Originally designed for arid climates, wicking beds are perfect for:

✔️ Reducing water use by up to 50%

✔️ Keeping plants consistently hydrated

✔️ Preventing soil from drying out and cracking

✔️ Growing nutrient-dense, organic produce with minimal maintenance

✔️ Making gardening more accessible and achievable for busy people

Once set up, wicking beds can go for days—even weeks—without needing extra watering, making them ideal for Australia’s unpredictable climate.

How My Wicking Beds Changed Everything

I first set up my wicking beds because I wanted to grow more food with less effort. I knew they were efficient, but I didn’t expect just how abundant they would be. In 50 days, they produced over 100kg (220lbs) of food—without me constantly watering, adjusting, or worrying about plant stress in the heat.

That’s the beauty of this system. The plants thrive because their roots always have access to water, and I don’t have to intervene as much. It’s as close to a self-sustaining vegetable garden as you can get.

If you’ve been watching my journey and wondering how to get started, my new Wicking Bed Garden e-book will show you exactly how to build and maintain your own—so you can experience these results too.

What’s Inside the Wicking Bed Garden E-Book?

This e-book is packed with everything you need to create a thriving, self-watering garden, no matter your space or experience level.

 Inside, you’ll learn:

✔️ How wicking beds work and why they’re so effective

✔️ Step-by-step instructions for building different types of wicking beds (including IBC conversions)

✔️ The best plants to grow for maximum productivity

✔️ A no-dig approach to maintaining soil health

✔️ Tips for troubleshooting and customising your wicking bed to suit your space

Get your copy here: Click to download the e-book.

Prefer Hands-On Learning? Join My Wicking Bed Garden Workshop

If you love to learn by doing, I also run a Wicking Bed Garden Workshop where I guide you through building and maintaining your own wicking bed. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining an existing setup, this workshop is all about practical learning, confidence-building, and getting your hands in the soil.

Book your spot here: www.natashamorgan.com.au/shop/wicking-bed-garden-workshop-with-natasha-morgan

I’d love to know—have you tried a wicking bed before? What are you growing at the moment? Let’s chat in the comments.

Instagram Reel: Wicking Bed Garden Walkthrough – Take a virtual tour through my wicking bed garden and see how it works in action.

Let's dive into the conversation and share our gardening experiences!

Or if you’d like to dive deeper into sustainable gardening practices, join me for a workshop on Wicking Bed Garden

Explore my workshops:

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

My Favourite Ornamental Grasses: Movement, Texture, and Year-Round Interest

I adore ornamental grasses for their sense of movement, texture, and the seasonal beauty they bring to the garden. They are dynamic plants, changing throughout the year, catching the light, and providing structure in even the most challenging of spaces. In my own 27-metre-long north-facing verge garden bed, I’ve relied on a selection of grasses to create a soft yet structured screen from the road. Planted in drifts of four to five, they form a cohesive, naturalistic planting that ebbs and flows with the seasons.

All of my favourite grasses at Little Cottage On A Hill have been sourced from Antique Perennials, (I find their plant stock to be some of the absolute best available on the market) and I find myself returning to them time and again for their resilience, beauty, and ability to transform a space. Here are some of my favourites:

Antique Perennials

Miscanthus: Graceful and Architectural

Miscanthus is a staple in my garden, offering height, form, and changing interest throughout the year. These grasses emerge fresh and green in spring, develop statuesque elegance through summer, and by autumn, their feathery seed heads glow in the late light, standing proud well into winter. I just love how they move in the breeze. 

Miscanthus ‘Eileen Quinn’ – A beautifully upright variety with delicate, shimmering seed heads that catch every breeze. In autumn, the foliage turns warm tones of gold and amber. One of the smaller varieties. 

Miscanthus ‘Kleine Fontaine’ – True to its name (‘Little Fountain’), this variety forms an arching, cascading shape with soft, silvery plumes in late summer.

Miscanthus ‘Yakushima Dwarf’ – Despite its name, this variety does not have a true dwarf habit. It forms an elegant, medium-sized clump with arching foliage and soft plumes that create a natural, flowing effect in the garden. It’s particularly effective when used in drifts to enhance movement and texture.

Miscanthus stands tall well into winter, offering structure and movement long after many other perennials have retreated.

Miscanthus ‘Eileen Quinn’

Miscanthus ‘Kleine Fontaine’

Miscanthus ‘Yakushima Dwarf’

Panicum: Striking Colour and Ethereal Seed Heads

Panicum, or switchgrass, is another essential in my garden, chosen for its resilience, upright form, and striking seasonal colour changes.

Panicum ‘Iron Maiden’ – A tall, statuesque variety with deep blue-green foliage that turns a striking burgundy-red as the weather cools.

Panicum ‘Blue Steel’ – With its steely blue foliage, this grass offers a stunning contrast to softer greens. By autumn, its colour intensifies with hints of purple and red, and its airy flower heads create a dreamy, mist-like effect.

Panicum is incredibly hardy, coping with heat and dry conditions while maintaining its upright presence throughout the year.

Calamagrostis: The Reliable Performer

Calamagrostis is a structured, vertical grass that brings elegance and rhythm to the planting scheme. It’s one of the first grasses to emerge in spring, providing early season interest when much of the garden is still awakening.

Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ – A true classic. This upright, architectural grass produces feathery, wheat-like plumes in early summer that age beautifully to golden tones through autumn and winter. It’s a brilliant choice for adding strong verticality to a planting scheme.

The Seasonal Changes

One of the joys of ornamental grasses is their seasonal transformation.

Spring: Fresh green growth pushes through, creating a soft, meadow-like feel.

Summer: Grasses are at their lushest, with Miscanthus, Panicum, and Calamagrostis reaching their full height and their delicate seed heads emerging.

Autumn: The warm, golden tones take over, with Panicum intensifying into reds and purples, while Miscanthus plumes catch the afternoon light in a spectacular display.

Winter: The seed heads remain standing, providing much-needed movement and texture in the garden. Frost settles on the plumes, creating a sculptural effect that is just as beautiful as the summer display.

Creating a Naturalistic Effect

In my verge garden, I plant these grasses in swathes of four to five, allowing them to form drifts that mimic natural landscapes. This creates a sense of rhythm and movement, guiding the eye along the space while also offering a practical function—screening the road and softening the edges of the garden.

Paired with perennials such as echinacea, salvias, and sedums, these grasses create a planting scheme that is both structured and free-flowing. They offer habitat for insects, shelter for small creatures, and a constantly changing display that makes even the simplest of spaces feel alive.

Grasses like Miscanthus, Panicum, and Calamagrostis are the backbone of my garden’s seasonal tapestry. Their ability to evolve throughout the year, providing height, texture, and movement, makes them an invaluable addition to any landscape. If you’re looking to introduce these grasses into your own garden, I highly recommend exploring the selections at Antique Perennials—they are my trusted source for quality, resilient plants that stand the test of time.

You may want to check my related content below:

Designing Gardens For All Seasons – Explore how to create a garden that evolves beautifully throughout the year.

Hydrangea Paniculata: A Year-Round Beauty in the Garden – Learn how this stunning plant brings year-round interest to your landscape.

Dive into both for more inspiration to keep your garden flourishing all year long! 

Or if you’d like to dive deeper into sustainable gardening practices, join me for a workshop on Garden Design.

Explore my workshops:

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Creativity, Connection, and Beauty at Babbington Park with Lean Timms

Last week, I stepped away from the daily rhythm of work and solo parenting to immerse myself in something that felt utterly essential—Lean Timms’ photography workshop at Babbington Park. The moment I saw it listed, I knew I had to make it happen. Some opportunities feel like a whisper from the universe, a reminder to prioritise the things that fill my cup, and this was one of them.

I’d never visited Babbington Park before, despite knowing of its rolling hills, productive gardens, and the deep care Annie Smithers and Susan Thompson pour into the land. It was on my bucket list. Being in the throws of writing my first book, which has so many synergies with this place and its raison d’etre, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. A moment to breathe in beauty, to be surrounded by people who share a reverence for capturing the fleeting magic of light, landscape, and connection.

Lean Timms is one special human. If you’ve ever crossed paths with her, then you ‘know’, and a visual storyteller in the truest sense. Her photography doesn’t just document—it holds feeling, place, and presence. She has this rare ability to capture both the quiet poetry of a moment and the wild, untamed energy of a place. Over two days, she (and the first day’s guest teacher Stephanie Stematis) guided us through seeing differently, thinking about composition with intention, and harnessing the magic of natural light.

But this weekend wasn’t just about photography—it was about creative nourishment in its fullest sense. I believe so deeply in lifelong learning, in stepping outside the familiar and allowing new experiences to shape and shift the way we see the world. It’s easy, especially as a solo parent and often solo creative, to fall into patterns, to unknowingly build habits that keep creativity contained. But I know this: when I make time for learning from others, for being in spaces where creativity is shared, celebrated and thrown around like fairy dust, I come back to my own work and world with renewed energy, a fresh perspective and a brand new love for all that I do.

And then there was the food… Annie and Susan’s generosity was felt in every meal—each dish a reflection of their deep commitment to growing and cooking with care. We gathered around a long table at Babbington Park, sharing a French farmhouse lunch that felt like the definition of country comfort and abundance. We dined at du Fermier in Trentham, where Annie weaves exquisitely simple ingredients into something deeply visceral and memorable. 

More than anything, this experience was a reminder of why places and opportunities like this matter. Babbington Park holds something rare—the kind of beauty that seeps into your bones, the kind of welcome that feels like home. The kindness, generosity, and authenticity of Lean, Annie, and Susan were the heart of these two days. In a world that often feels like it’s moving too fast, this was a pause—a chance to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the quiet magic that exists in the everyday whilst in the company of expert tuition and limitless knowledge.

I walked away feeling filled up in ways that even I hadn’t imagined or expected. Inspired, grateful, and reminded that making time for creativity and connection isn’t always a luxury—sometimes it’s a necessity.

You may want to check out my related content below:

From Forest Clearing to Town Garden: A Story of Growth – Discover the journey of transforming a space from raw nature to a thriving garden, filled with lessons and inspiration.

Your Ultimate Gardening Inspiration Resource – Curated by our community for our community, this resource is filled with inspiration and practical tips for your gardening journey.

Explore both to fuel your own gardening growth! 

Or if you’d like to dive deeper into sustainable gardening practices, join me for a workshop on productive gardening.

Explore my workshops:

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Autumn Gardening Jobs: A Gentle Approach for a Bountiful Season

Autumn in Daylesford and across Australia is a season of change—a time to give your garden a final flush before winter while preparing for a winter bounty. As you plan new plantings, harvest the last of summer’s produce, and tidy up your outdoor spaces, consider a gentle approach that respects your garden’s soil structure while boosting its vitality. Drawing on insights from Gardening Australia, Paul West, Milkwood Permaculture, and Deep Green Permaculture, here’s a guide to autumn gardening jobs that boost your garden’s final flush while setting the stage for a winter bounty—all with a light touch.

General Autumn Jobs for a Bountiful Garden

These practices help you enhance your garden’s productivity as autumn unfolds, with methods that minimise disturbance and encourage soil health:

1. Light Clean-Up and Top Dressing

Begin by gently clearing away fallen leaves and plant debris with a gentle rake—no heavy tilling needed. Spread a 5 cm (2‑inch) layer of well‑rotted compost and organic mulch over your beds. This not only retains moisture and regulates temperature but also gradually enriches the soil without disrupting its structure.

2. Direct Sowing of Cool Season Crops

Use your prepared beds to directly sow vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes, and silverbeet. These cool season crops benefit from the nutrient rich top layer and thrive in the mild autumn temperatures.

3. Boosting Brassicas for a Winter Bounty

It’s the perfect time to start brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. Begin seedlings in your garden and protect young plants with netting to ward off cabbage moths.

4. Refreshing Your Herb Garden

Rejuvenate your herb garden by planting herbs like parsley, coriander and dill. These herbs enjoy the cooler weather, adding fresh, aromatic flavours to your winter dishes.

5. Tool and Irrigation Check

Take a moment to clean, sharpen, and oil your garden tools, and review your irrigation systems. Efficient water delivery is so important as the season shifts, ensuring your garden receives just the right amount of moisture.

6. Sowing a Green Manure Crop

Consider sowing a green manure crop—such as clover or vetch—in your autumn beds. These cover crops naturally fix nitrogen, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure over winter, boosting soil fertility without heavy cultivation. This is a technique I’ve used on poor soils in the past with incredible soil structure building and nourishing effects.

Tasks by Australian Climate Region

Autumn gardening practices can vary across Australia. Below are some tasks for each climate region to help you maximise your garden’s potential while preparing for the winter ahead.

1. Cool Temperate Regions

(e.g. Daylesford, Victoria; Tasmania; parts of NSW)

1. Final Summer Flush Boost

Top dress your beds with compost and mulch to encourage any lingering summer produce—tomatoes, capsicums, and beans—to offer one last burst of flavour before the chill sets in.

2. Brassica Beginnings

Sow brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale now. Use protective netting over seedlings to prevent cabbage moth damage, ensuring your winter crops develop well.

3. Winter Greens and Root Crops

Direct sow hardy winter greens like spinach and silverbeet alongside root vegetables such as carrots and beetroots. These crops thrive in a nutrient-rich, lightly disturbed soil.

4. Herb and Edible Flower Planting

Refresh your herb garden with parsley, coriander, and dill. Adding edible flowers—like violas or cornflowers—not only attracts beneficial insects but also brightens up your winter salads.

5. Gentle Pruning and Bed Tidy-Up

Trim back overgrown summer perennials and tidy up garden edges. This light maintenance improves airflow and helps plants throw on another flush of foliage and often flowers.

2. Subtropical Regions

(e.g. Coastal Queensland; Northern NSW)

1. Mulching for Moisture Retention

In humid, subtropical climates, mulching will assist to stabilise soil, suppress weeds, and support soil structure after heavy rains. (Thoughts are with our Queensland friends who are batting down their hatches. Let’s hope there’s some gardens left after the deluge!)

2. Sowing Cool-Season Vegetables

Direct sow vegetables like beetroot, lettuce, and radish in your garden beds. These crops adapt well to the milder autumn conditions typical of subtropical regions.

3. Brassicas with a Protective Shield

Start your brassicas for a winter bounty, and cover young seedlings with netting to keep pests at bay.

4. Refreshing Container and Raised Beds

For those working in containers or raised beds, top dress with compost to renew soil fertility while keeping disturbance to a minimum.

5. Herbs and Edible Ornamentals

Enhance your garden with herbs such as basil and coriander, alongside edible ornamentals like calendula, which attract pollinators and beneficial insects.

3. Arid/Mediterranean Regions

(e.g. Parts of South Australia, Western Australia; Inland NSW)

1. Moisture Conservation with Mulch

As the heat lingers but daylight shortens, apply a generous layer of organic mulch (such as straw, pea straw, or lucerne) to regulate soil temperature, reduce evaporation, and suppress weeds. Autumn rains may help settle mulch in, improving soil structure.

2. Planting for the Season

Now is the time to direct sow or transplant hardy cool-season vegetables like carrots, turnips, brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale), beets, and onions. Protect brassicas with netting to deter cabbage moths and ensure strong early growth.

3. Weed Management Before the Rains

Take advantage of any pre-autumn rain by weeding before seeds germinate. A thick layer of mulch will further suppress unwanted growth, conserving soil moisture as temperatures fluctuate.

4. Water-Wise Pruning & Maintenance

Lightly prune heat-stressed perennials and remove dead growth to reduce water loss and allow autumn growth to establish. Hold off on major pruning of frost-sensitive plants until after winter.

5. Microclimates for Resilience

With autumn planting underway, use shade cloth or windbreaks to shelter young greens and protect against drying winds or late-season heatwaves. This ensures strong root establishment before winter.

Overall, these region‑specific tasks are in line with established guidelines and reflect the best practices for boosting your garden’s final flush before winter while preparing for a winter bounty. As always, it’s wise to consider local microclimate variations and specific garden conditions when applying these tasks

As the leaves begin their gentle descent and the air turns crisper, autumn offers a unique opportunity to work with your garden rather than against it. By applying a light touch—minimising disturbance while nurturing growth—you set the stage for a resilient garden and a nourishing winter bounty. Enjoy the process, celebrate the small victories, and savour the seasonal transformation of your outdoor space.

You may want to check out my related content below:

Watering Deeply: The Key to Thriving, Resilient Plants – Watch my Instagram reel for tips on how deep watering helps your plants grow stronger with deeper roots.

Growing Soil: The Foundation to Vibrant Gardens and Nutrient-Dense Plants – Dive into my blog post where I explore how healthy soil is essential for supporting vibrant, thriving plants.

Explore both for a complete guide to creating a garden that flourishes!

Or if you’d like to dive deeper into sustainable gardening practices, join me for a workshop on productive gardening.

Explore my workshops:

~ Garden Design with Natasha Morgan – Craft a garden that balances structure, beauty, and functionality.

~  The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan – Learn how to grow abundantly, no matter your space.

~ The Wicking Bed Garden with Natasha Morgan – Build a self-watering, water-wise garden for effortless growing.

~ Preserving The Seasons with Natasha Morgan – Capture seasonal flavours with time-honoured preserving techniques.

~ Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping with Saffron and Natasha  – Learn how to raise happy, healthy chickens at home.

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Finding Light in Dark Times

So many times when I’ve felt lost, I’ve poured my energy into making a difference… somehow. It’s got me through some of my most challenging times and has a special way of lifting me out of heaviness, anxiety, and a sense of lack of control. When the world feels unbearable, when the weight of suffering and injustice presses down, I turn to action—small, tangible, meaningful actions that remind me I am not powerless.

This evening, as I stepped outside into the golden light to take a few photos of the tree. I’ve just finished decorating for the ChillOut Festival, I felt that familiar shift. An ever so quiet yet determined kind of hope. The world is unraveling in ways that feel almost impossible for me to hold, but this tree—covered in colour, in light, in a gesture of joy and connection—is something real. A way of saying, I will not look away. I will not forget. I will not allow the weight of it all to make me stop caring.

ChillOut is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of love, inclusivity, and community. In a time when division, fear, and misinformation seem to spread faster than truth, events like this matter more than ever. They are spaces where people can be seen, where joy becomes an act of defiance, where connection reminds us that we are never truly alone. The simple act of decorating a tree feels like a small but meaningful way to honour that—to create something as an invitation to others, that sparks a moment of joy and stands as a reminder that we all deserve to feel safe, valued, and free to be ourselves.

I for one know it’s easy to feel powerless. To feel as though nothing I do in my small corner of the world could possibly make a difference. But I refuse to believe that. Every choice we make—who we show up for, how we use our voice, where we put our energy—matters.

When I feel overwhelmed, I come back to the things I know are true:

Community is everything.

There is power in gathering. In standing beside people who also refuse to turn away. In shared meals, quiet conversations, in showing up when someone needs you. In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, choosing to foster real connection is an act of resistance.

Growing is an act of defiance.

There is something deeply grounding about putting my hands in the soil, tending to something that will feed and nourish. It reminds me that no matter what is happening in the world, I can still nurture life. And I can share it. Growing food, sharing food, creating something from what I have—this is something no one can take away.

Teaching my children to question, to think, to care.

The world will try to tell them who they should be, what they should believe, what they should accept. My job is to make sure they know how to think for themselves. How to stand firm. How to recognise truth when it is being buried. How to care, even when caring feels hard.

Choosing where to put my time, my energy, my money.

The world thrives on noise. On distraction. On keeping us so exhausted that we stop questioning, stop resisting, stop believing we can change anything. I refuse. I choose to support the people doing the work, the businesses that value integrity, the stories that need to be heard. Every dollar, every moment, every act of attention is a choice.

Refusing to lose hope.

Because that’s what they want—for us to feel too overwhelmed to act, too exhausted to care. But hope is something we build. It is not passive, and it is not naive. It’s a decision to keep going, to keep believing in the possibility of something better, to keep creating moments of light even when everything feels unbearably dark.

I don’t have all the answers. Some days, I feel as though I have none at all. But I know that I can keep showing up. I can keep building, growing, sharing, questioning, resisting. I can keep choosing care over apathy, truth over comfort, connection over indifference.

And today, in this small act of decorating a tree, of adding colour and light to the world around me, I remind myself that even the smallest acts of love, of community, of defiance—matter.

Because they do. And I want you to know that I am here for you. 

You may also want to read this on my blog: Forest Bathing for Creative Self-Care

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Your Ultimate Gardening Inspiration Resource – Curated by our community for our community

One of the most wonderful things about gardening is that it’s never a solitary journey. It’s shaped by the wisdom, creativity, and generosity of others—whether it’s a fellow gardener sharing a simple tip that transforms the way we grow, or an inspiring account that sparks new ideas for our own spaces.

I recently invited my community to share their favourite Instagram accounts and other go-to resources for gardening inspiration, and the response was nothing short of magical. The love, knowledge, and passion that poured in from so many of you has created something truly special—a collective resource, built together, to inspire and support every gardener, from beginners to seasoned growers.

This blog is a celebration of that shared wisdom. A gift from our community, for our community. I’m beyond grateful to everyone who contributed, and I hope this becomes a space you return to time and again when you’re looking for fresh ideas, guidance, or simply a little gardening joy.

How to Use This Resource:

Below, you’ll find a curated list of Instagram accounts, websites, and other tools that have been recommended by fellow garden lovers. To make it easy to navigate, I’ve grouped them into themes—from kitchen gardens and edible landscapes to floral artistry, sustainable growing, and beyond.

I invite you to explore, follow, and be inspired—and if you have more to add, I’d love to keep this resource growing! 

Productive Gardens & Kitchen Gardens

(A collection of Instagram accounts focused on growing food, edible landscapes, and self-sufficiency.)

@moonacresfarm_official: A certified organic fruit and vegetable farm in the Southern Highlands of NSW, supplying local farmers' markets and restaurants.

@charles_dowding: A gardener and renowned for promoting the no-dig gardening method, Charles Dowding shares insights on creating productive vegetable gardens with minimal soil disturbance

@huwsgarden: Huw Richards offers practical advice on growing food in small spaces, focusing on organic and sustainable practices.

@thediggersclub: An Australian organisation dedicated to heirloom gardening, providing seeds, plants, and gardening advice to cultivate productive and diverse gardens.

@thelittlegrowers: Focuses on engaging children in gardening, offering resources and inspiration to cultivate young gardeners.

@anya_thegarden_fairy: Is a digital creator powered by ADHD, a speaker, and the author of a Sunday Times Bestseller. She shares practical tips for creating great gardens on a budget, plant propagation techniques, and engaging tutorials

@susienugentg: Shares insights into organic gardening, sustainable practices, and the joys of growing your own food.

Sustainable & Regenerative Growing

(For those passionate about organic practices, permaculture, and working with the land in a thoughtful way.)

@milkwood: Offers DIY guides, courses, and a free online library focused on sustainable living skills, including gardening and food production.

@goryu_japanese_gardens: Showcases authentic Japanese gardens based on nine themed gardens of Japan, promoting sustainable gardening practices.

@yambulla: Is a place where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are looking for new ways to share the rewards and responsibilities of Caring for Country.

@thethriftygardener: Also known as Millie, she is a gardener, explorer, and doer who makes noise, mostly about plants, and is based on Taungurung country, Australia. She is also a presenter.

@outbackgardens: Cass Hooke offers guidance on building dream gardens, focusing on sustainable practices in the Australian outback.

Seasonal Flowers & Floristry

(Gardeners and florists who celebrate the beauty of seasonal blooms, cut flower gardening, and naturalistic design.)

@microflowerfarm: Specialises in agriculture and flower farming with organic, regenerative practices on small acreage. They promote building cottage gardens instead of lawns and offer dahlia tuber sales and growing classes.

@fleurs_de_lyonville: Located in the Daylesford & Macedon Region, offers organically grown flowers for weddings, eco-friendly funerals, workshops, and more, as well as pottery vases.

Garden Designers & Landscape Architecture

(A collection of visionaries who create breathtaking garden spaces, from small courtyards to vast landscapes.)

@superbloomau: Creative plant practice bringing dynamic living beauty and diversity to gardens and landscapes through planting design and horticulture.

@ladysmith_park_perennials: Is a rural perennial nursery located in Riverina, NSW, offering boutique garden design services and featuring a New Perennial Movement show garden.

@peachy_green_: A landscape architecture studio based in Melbourne, creating lush handcrafted gardens for lovers of green.

@ke_landscape_consultant: Is a passionate #landscapedesign consultant from Melbourne who can design your dream landscape.

@highfield_gardens: Provides garden design inspiration and tips, documenting the transformation of an 8-acre cow paddock into a house and garden.

@hart_vale_gardens: Shares inspiration for creating beauty through gardening, featuring a rural garden with stunning views and luxury accommodation.

@carolynrobinsongardendesign: A garden designer and plantswoman based in Tenterfield, NSW, offering insights into garden design and plant selection.

@t.p_gardens: Specialises in naturalistic garden designs tailored to modern Australian contexts, showcasing various projects and design ideas.

@emmasadiethomson: Focuses on plant styling, landscape design, and connecting people to nature through commercial and residential projects.

@artfulmeadow: A nursery showcasing a blend of gorgeous, unusual, edible and useful plants, focusing on developing meadows, woodlands and forest gardens that are aesthetically pleasing and ecologically beneficial.

@reverie_101garden_: John FitzGibbon & Paul Smith designed and planted a garden for a Masters Thesis in Landscape Art, which was featured on Gardening Australia & The Horti-Culturalists on YouTube in 2022.

@annmaree.winter: Annie, a passionate gardener.

@pietoudolf: Piet Oudolf is a garden designer known for his naturalistic planting style, emphasising the beauty of perennials and grasses.

@adam_hancock: Full-time gardener, Aldgate, wanting projects that connect community to nature through wow-factor gardening and native biodiversity.

@d.rumenos: Together with her husband Matt, they are creating a diverse and resilient garden on a windswept hill in South Western Australia, on Bibbulmun country.

@michaelmccoyongardens: Michael McCoy is a garden designer, writer, and host of ABC TV's Dream Gardens.

@simon_rickard: Simon Rickard is a gardener, plantsman, and baroque bassoonist.

@fishermansbay_garden: Gardener Jill Simpson’s garden near Akaroa, New Zealand, offers beautiful views over the rugged Pacific coastline, changing season by season.

@michaelcookegardendesign: Michael Cooke is an artist, Australian garden designer, and author with a love of design, art, plants, and horses. He lives north of Sydney with a large garden and home studio.

@tomstuartsmith: Renowned landscape architect and garden designer, sharing insights into his projects and design philosophy.

@charlie.harpur: Charlie Harpur is a plantsman, designer, and ecosystem engineer serving as the head gardener.

@ashley_james_gardens: Ashley James is an Australian garden designer blending Arts and Crafts principles with contemporary elements to create harmonious outdoor spaces.

@stem_emmalinebowman: Emmaline Bowman is a landscape architecture designer creating environments with integrity, specialising in zoological and habitat design, and water gardens.

@thestonescentralvictoria: A stunning garden in central Victoria, Australia, that emphasises sustainable and aesthetically pleasing landscaping, featuring dry-stone walls, local plants, and thoughtful design.

@kmldesign_gardens: Kathleen Murphy Landscape Design specialises in garden design for homeowners, with over 600 gardens created. She also offers online courses for DIY garden planning.

@brockstar64: Fiona Brockhoff is a landscape designer, family woman, and nature lover who gardens on Boon Wurrung and Bunurong land. She is a hiker, recycler, skier, and passionate about working with nature, as well as events.

@phillip_withers: Phillip Withers is a designer running a landscape architecture and horticulture studio in Melbourne.

@phillip_johnson_landscapes: Phillip Johnson Landscapes is a multi-award-winning landscape design and build company, specialising in billabongs, natural pools, and creating sustainable habitats, always working with nature, not against it.

@thehabitatguru: AB Bishop is a habitat-focused gardener, best-selling author, and a horticulture editor at Gardening Australia. She is also the host of the 3CR Gardening Show and a presenter at ABC Radio, based on Wurundjeri Country.

@christian_douglas_design: Christian Douglas Design is an architectural design studio, award-winning for its "Food Forward" design approach. Christian is also the founder of @thebackyardfarmco and the author of The Food Forward Garden.

@boatsend_garden: Sarah Budarick is a mad gardener creating a garden on a windy hillside in South Australia, alongside the resident kangaroos and rabbits. She is also a besotted grandmother of 6.

@thegardencurator: Colleen Southwell, known as The Garden Curator, is an artist and garden maker offering workshops and insights into garden design.

@bluehouse_amberley: Jenny Cooper is a gardener with a love for all things plantish. She experiments in dry gardening and is friends with mycorrhizae. The garden is an open garden in North Canterbury, New Zealand.

@brentonrobertsgardendesigns: Brenton Roberts is a designer working to transform 5 acres in the Adelaide Hills into lush gardens.

@gardeningwithangus: Angus Stewart is an award-winning horticulturist, former presenter on Gardening Australia, author, broadcaster, and plant breeder.

@ralphbristow_artist: Ralph Bristow lives in Barwite, North East Victoria, Australia. He is a painter, gardener, and painter with plants, offering garden design services and paintings.

@terrywinters9141: Terry Winters shares the day-to-day story of a garden. He was awarded the RHS ‘My Chelsea Garden’ Gold Medal (Back Garden) in a competition held in conjunction with BBC’s The One Show.

@highcroft.garden: Highcroft Garden, located in the Adelaide Hills, features 2 acres of country garden, offering workshops and events.

@saintremystudio: Saint Remy is a landscape design studio, creating gardens that make your heart sing.

@platylobium: Platylobium is a landscape company, with a design philosophy centred on creating functional landscapes that integrate design elements with the existing natural environment.

@oceanroadlandscaping: Ocean Road Landscaping creates beautiful and environmentally friendly gardens by the sea, in the country, and in town. They build locally and design anywhere.

@le_sac_: Offers garden tool belts designed for gardeners and beyond, emphasising the connection between gardening and culinary pursuits.

@trishadixonburkitt: Trisha (Dixon) Burkitt is a visual artist, writer, and photographer who lives life to the full. She occasionally leaves the road less travelled to lead landscape literary and cycling tours.

Chefs & Food Creators Focused on Garden-to-Plate

(For those who find joy in turning their harvest into something delicious, these accounts bridge the gap between growing and cooking.)

@glenmorehouse: Mickey Robertson enjoys idyllic days in the country, where she invites others to learn, dream, eat, and be inspired.

@babbingtonpark: Babbington Park is a farm and home to chef Annie Smiths and her wife Susan on 23 acres, featuring a restored chapel, a spring-fed lake, an 1880’s shearing shed, and the @du_fermier restaurant garden.

Let’s Keep This Growing! 

This list is just the beginning. There are always more inspiring voices, more gardeners with wisdom to share, and more ways to learn from each other. If you have a favourite account, website, or resource that isn’t listed here, please share it in the comments! I’ll continue updating this post so it remains a living, evolving source of inspiration for us all.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed—this is the true magic of community, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be on this journey with you. 

I’ve shared some of my favourite insights over the past year, like Supporting Local Eco-Friendly Businesses on Facebook, The Hands That Grow and Cook: A Visit to Bar Midland’s Productive Garden on Instagram, and The Beauty of Diverse Productive Gardens on Pinterest. Each post has brought new ideas and connections to our wonderful community.

If you’ve enjoyed these, I’d love for you to join me in person at my upcoming workshops! It’s a chance for us to meet face-to-face, share stories, and dig deeper into all things sustainable gardening and community.

Can’t wait to meet you all and explore together—see you there!

Happy growing,

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

Soil Testing: Know Your Soil

Understanding the composition and health of your soil is fundamental to cultivating a thriving, productive garden. In regions like Daylesford, Victoria, with its rich history rooted in the gold rush era, soil testing is something to consider due to potential contamination from past mining activities and modern environmental factors.

The Importance of Soil Testing

Soil serves as the foundation for all plant life, influencing nutrient availability, water retention, and overall plant health. However, soils can harbour contaminants such as heavy metals—lead, arsenic, cadmium—stemming from historical industrial activities, mining operations, and contemporary sources like road runoff. These pollutants can adversely affect plant growth and pose health risks to humans, especially when growing edible plants.

Historical Context: Daylesford's Gold Rush Legacy

Daylesford's vibrant history as a gold rush town in the 19th century has left an indelible mark on the landscape. During that period, gold extraction processes often employed toxic substances, including mercury and cyanide, which could have led to soil contamination. Additionally, the infrastructure developed to support mining, such as roads and settlements, introduced other pollutants into the environment. Over time, these contaminants may have persisted in the soil, underscoring the need for regular testing, particularly for those cultivating fruits and vegetables.

Modern Environmental Concerns

Beyond historical pollutants, contemporary factors contribute to soil contamination. Road runoff, for instance, can introduce heavy metals and hydrocarbons from vehicle emissions and tyre wear into adjacent soils. Urban and suburban gardens might also be affected by residues from past use of lead-based paints or pesticides. 

Understanding these potential sources is vital for maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.

Soil Contaminants and Their Impact on Nutrient Density

Contaminated soils can significantly impact the nutrient density of the produce grown within them. Heavy metals can interfere with plant nutrient uptake, leading to deficiencies that affect both plant health and the nutritional value of the harvest. Moreover, certain plants may accumulate these harmful elements, posing direct risks to consumers. For a deeper exploration of soil health and its influence on plant vitality, refer to our previous post on "Growing Soils."

VegeSafe: Ensuring Safe Gardening Practices

Recognising the importance of soil safety, the Victorian government supports initiatives like VegeSafe, a community science program operated by Macquarie University. VegeSafe offers free soil testing services to residents, analysing samples for metal contaminants and providing guidance on safe gardening practices. 

Participants receive detailed reports on their soil's composition, empowering them to make informed decisions about cultivating edible plants. This initiative is invaluable for urban gardeners and those in historically industrial areas, ensuring that the produce they grow is safe for consumption. (More information on VegeSafe)

Taking Action

Ensuring the safety and productivity of your garden starts with understanding your soil's composition. Here's how you can take proactive steps:

1. Test Your Soil: Utilise programs like VegeSafe or private laboratories to assess your soil for potential contaminants.

2. Educate Yourself: Explore our comprehensive guide on "Growing Soils" to gain insights into building and maintaining healthy soil ecosystems.

3. Enhance Your Skills: Attend our upcoming productive garden workshop, where we'll delve deeper into soil health, sustainable practices, and techniques to maximise your garden's potential.

By taking these steps, you can create a safer, more productive growing space while protecting your health and the environment. Join us at our next workshop to learn more!

Ready to uncover your soil's secrets? At Little Cottage on a Hill, we blend expert insights with practical, hands‐on learning. Secure your trusted VegeSafe soil test and join our workshop to master sustainable techniques for a thriving garden retreat.

Looking for a bit of extra inspiration? Check out:
• What I’m Planting in My Garden This Week on Pinterest
• Growing Philosophies: Permaculture for Beginners on the blog
• What to Do in the Garden This Month on Instagram

I can’t wait to chat—reserve your spot today.

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.

I’m Writing a Book – And I Want You to Come on the Journey With Me

For years, people have asked me: When are you going to write a book?

The truth is, I always knew I would – but I also knew it had to be at the right time, for the right reasons, and with the right people. That time is now.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve signed a publishing deal with Murdoch Books, working with the brilliant Jane Willson, to bring this book to life. It’s a project that draws on everything I’ve learned—from my years in landscape architecture, to creating Oak & Monkey Puzzle, to embracing the deeply personal and intentional life I now live at Little Cottage On A Hill.

It will be a book about gardens, but not just any gardens. It will explore the intersection of beauty and abundance, of design and productivity. It’s a culmination of my expertise as a landscape architect and lifelong gardener, bringing together the art and science of making a garden that works hard, nourishes deeply, and feels like an experience.

What Can You Expect?

I’ll be sharing glimpses behind the scenes—from the creative process to the unexpected challenges, the triumphs, the slow revelations, and the deeply personal moments that will shape the book. There will be conversations, reflections, and invitations to be part of this in ways I haven’t done before.

I have until August to write the book, and it will be released around September 2026 (books take time!). But this isn’t something I want to do in isolation—I want it to feel like something we’re creating together.

So, let’s begin. I’d love to hear from you—what would you want to see in a book from me? What are the questions you’d love answered? Share your thoughts in the comments, via email, or over on Instagram.

This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to take you along for the ride.

As I step into writing this book, you might enjoy these stories—whether to get to know me better or to spark ideas on what you'd love to see in my writing:

Living Well Spotlight: My Bucket List – A glimpse into the experiences that shape how I live and create.
Connecting with Nature for Creative Self-Care – How the garden and landscape feed my creativity and sense of purpose.
Discover the Story Behind the Natasha Morgan Brand – The journey that brought me here and the values that guide my work.

Or, if you're looking for something more hands-on, you might love our newest e-book: Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping—a practical guide to starting your own flock.

And if you’d rather learn alongside me, you can explore my upcoming workshops here: https://www.natashamorgan.com.au/shop

I’d love to hear what resonates with you—let’s continue the conversation!

Natasha xx

For glimpses into workshops, daily life, and my thoughts from Little Cottage on a Hill, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. And if you’d like a more personal update, subscribe to my Newsletter for a monthly note on what’s growing, what’s inspiring me, and what’s next.

Click the links below to stay connected—I’d love to have you along for the journey.