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.

The Verge Garden Story

When moving from Oak & Monkey Puzzle to Little Cottage on a Hill, I was looking for a small space that wouldn’t feel small—a place where I could synthesise the best of the lessons learned over my nine years at Oak & Monkey Puzzle. I considered properties on the edge of town and another near a gully, but when I found the little cottage diagonally opposite the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, I knew it was something special. With its deep volcanic soils and wide verges, it presented an incredible opportunity.

Council constraints became opportunities. The sloping embankment, rather than a challenge, was a chance to create an ornamental buffer to the street while also capturing runoff before it reached the lower planting areas. The guidelines encouraged thoughtful design—respecting setbacks, ensuring clear sightlines, and integrating plantings with essential services. What could have felt like restrictions became a framework for creativity.

Whilst I never created a drawing, everything was down ‘on the ground’. The process of creating the verge garden began with meticulous planning. I measured offsets to ensure compliance with council guidelines, first marking out areas with pegs and string before refining them with surveyor’s spray paint. Removing the grass was the first major task. Given my timeframe, I opted for an excavator to scalp the grass from the designated areas, but for those with more time, solarisation—covering the grass with a tarp or thick mulch for several months—is a viable, chemical-free alternative. I personally don’t support the use of herbicides in any form.

With the space cleared, the verge garden became a site for experimentation in three dimensions. Being on a corner block, the garden is split into two aspects: a west-facing section and a north-facing one, each with its own microclimate. This has allowed me to play with espaliered fruit trees, climbing frames, and cloched elements (I use Redpath cloches, which provide protection and extend the growing season). Repurposed materials have also featured heavily—leftover sections of Wattle & Wire fencing found new life in this space. The company has since retired, and the gardening world is poorer for it—someone needs to step in and revive those incredible products!

Edimentals—plants that are both edible and ornamental—play a starring role in the verge garden. From productive fruit trees to herbs that soften the edges and invite pollinators, the plant selection is a blend of beauty and function. This approach ensures that the garden remains not only productive but also a visually engaging part of the streetscape, fostering curiosity and interaction from passersby.

Hepburn Shire’s nature strip planting guidelines have been invaluable in shaping this project. They provide clarity on what can be planted without a permit and what requires council approval (including raised garden beds and small trees). For those considering their own verge garden in the shire, I highly recommend reviewing the full guidelines, which can be found on the Hepburn Shire Council website: hepburn.vic.gov.au/naturestrips.

The verge garden at Little Cottage on a Hill is more than just an extension of my home garden—it’s a public space, an experiment in design, and a statement about how small spaces can be both beautiful and abundant. It’s an invitation to rethink what a nature strip can be.

For anyone considering their own verge garden, my advice is to start small, embrace council constraints as design prompts, and think about how your space can contribute to the broader landscape. These gardens are a conversation with the community—places where people stop, admire, and, sometimes, even share in the harvest.

A verge garden is more than just plants—it’s a chance to bring beauty, productivity, and connection to your street. Start small, work with your space, and let it evolve. Whether it’s a handful of herbs or a tapestry of edimentals, every planting adds to the richness of the landscape.

Thinking of transforming your verge? I’d love to hear your plans—share them below!

If you’re new here, welcome! You might enjoy these stories:

Documenting Little Cottage on a Hill – A garden shaped by hand and heart.
Gardens, Growth, and Community – My journey in landscape and garden-making.
Garden Tour — A closer look at the spaces I’ve created.

Or, if you’d love to learn alongside me, explore my upcoming workshops here: https://www.natashamorgan.com.au/shop

I’d love to see you there!

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.

Documenting Little Cottage On A Hill: A Garden Designed by Hand

Little Cottage On A Hill is the first garden I have designed without a drawing. No grand plans, no intricate blueprints—just a tape measure, some surveyor's spray paint, a handful of timber pegs, and a head full of ideas. Every line, every pathway, every planting bed was shaped and refined directly on the ground, responding to the site, the council’s nature strip planting guidelines, the seasons, and the way I wanted to live within the space. It has been a completely intuitive process, a deeply personal way of making a garden. The change in scale from Oak and Monkey Puzzle’s five acres to this smaller plot has afforded me the luxury and freedom to design 'on the ground' rather than through drawn plans, allowing the space to evolve naturally with my vision.

Now, as I embark on a very exciting new project (I can't wait to share more about that soon!), I feel it’s time to document this garden properly. And in a departure from my usual approach, I’m joining the technological superhighway! This time, I’ll be capturing the essence of Little Cottage On A Hill digitally, using the drawing app Procreate. My talented daughter, Saffron, has been using it for years for her artwork, and she’s patiently teaching me the ropes. It’s such a joy to be learning a new skill and to see the garden take shape in a whole new way.

This brings me to a question for you—how would you like to see the garden represented? What details would be most helpful, most inspiring? Would you like to see:

- The colours and textures of the planting, bringing the seasonal shifts and layered composition to life?

- Botanical names annotated so you can identify each plant?

- Dimensions of the beds, pathways, and open spaces, to get a sense of the scale and structure of the design?

This drawing will be the first of many for this special new project—think of it as a prototype of sorts. I’d so love your input as I begin this process.

What would be most useful, most exciting for you to see? Let’s shape this together.

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.

Solitude and Connection Through Gardens

There is a quiet presence in a garden. The kind that is felt rather than seen—the rustle of leaves shifting in the breeze, the hum of pollinators moving from bloom to bloom, the slow exhale of the earth after rain. To stand within it, hands in the soil, is to be held by something larger than oneself.

People often think of gardening as a solitary act, but I have never found myself alone in a garden. Whether in the sprawling expanse of Oak & Monkey Puzzle or the intimate confines of Little Cottage On A Hill, I have always been surrounded—by the unseen networks beneath my feet, the birds and insects that move through the landscape, and the shifting rhythms of the seasons.

Gardening is an act of connection. It is a dialogue, a conversation without words. The soil responds to our touch, plants lean towards our care, and in return, we are nourished—not just with food but with something deeper, something instinctive. When we nurture and nourish the earth, we nourish and nurture ourselves.

Part of Something Greater

Humans are not separate from nature. We are not visitors or caretakers—we are participants. There is no ‘other’ when it comes to the land; we are woven into its fabric, as much a part of the cycle as the rain that feeds the roots or the fungi that thread through the earth.

This is why a garden, no matter how small, holds such power. It is a reflection of this interconnectedness, a reminder that every action ripples outward. A seed planted is not just the beginning of a plant—it is a commitment, an agreement between you and the land. You tend to it, and in return, it sustains you, offering beauty, nourishment, and a place to rest.

The Solitude of Gardening

There is a certain solitude in gardening, but it is not loneliness. It is the kind that allows you to slow down, to listen, to be fully present. The kind that quiets the noise of the world and makes space for something deeper—intuition, instinct, knowing.

I often find myself alone in the garden as the day draws to a close, the golden light casting long shadows, the air cooling after the heat of the afternoon. These are the moments that shape me, that ground me. The hum of bees still lingers in the air, weaving between the last blooms of the day, and the earth, warmed by the sun, releases its scent. There is no rush, no expectation—only the quiet rhythm of my breath and the land settling into the night.

Gardens as Places of Connection

For all the solitude a garden offers, it is also where I have built some of my strongest connections. A garden is a gathering place—where hands come together to plant and harvest, where stories are shared over a basket of just-picked produce, where skills and knowledge are passed from one generation to the next.

At Oak & Monkey Puzzle, this was at the heart of everything I created—a space where people could come together to learn, to share, to build something greater than themselves. At Little Cottage On A Hill, this spirit continues, in the small acts of tending and growing, in the workshops where hands meet soil, in the quiet moments where a garden teaches more than words ever could.

A Reflection of Life Itself

A garden is never just a collection of plants. It is a reflection of the seasons, of time passing, of growth and renewal. It mirrors our own lives—the stillness and the storms, the moments of dormancy and the bursts of abundance.

To be in a garden is to be reminded of this. To know that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. That in tending the earth, we are tending to our own well-being. That in seeking solitude, we find connection.

And so, when I wander the garden in the evening light, I do so knowing that I am never alone. The land, the seasons, the unseen rhythms of life—they are all there, waiting, reminding me that I belong.

Would you like to cultivate a deeper connection with your garden?

Explore my workshops, where we bring hands to soil and stories to life.

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.

Introducing Our New E-Book: Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping

After the incredible response to our Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping workshop, I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve taken everything we shared and created an e-book—a comprehensive guide designed to help you start and care for your own flock with confidence.

Backyard chickens are more than just a source of fresh eggs. They are part of a thriving, productive ecosystem, enriching the garden, reducing waste, and bringing daily joy. If you’ve ever spent time watching a hen scratch the earth, dust bathe in the afternoon sun, or curiously follow you around the garden, you’ll know just how much personality and heart they bring to a space.

This e-book is a reflection of our journey—of my deep love for growing, making, and sustainable living, and of Saffron’s lifelong passion for chickens. She’s been raising them since she was three years old, and her knowledge, care, and enthusiasm have shaped this guide into a truly invaluable resource.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know to confidently welcome chickens into your backyard, including:

~ Choosing the right breeds for your climate and lifestyle

~ Setting up a safe and comfortable coop

~ Understanding chicken behaviour and daily care

~ Natural approaches to health, feeding, and pest control

~ How chickens can support a thriving, productive garden

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to deepen your understanding, this guide will give you the tools to build a resilient, happy flock that works with your garden to create a more self-sufficient home.

I love that we can now share this resource with even more people, extending the reach of our workshops and making it possible for anyone, anywhere, to begin their backyard chicken-keeping journey.

Thinking about or ready to start your own flock? You can purchase the Introduction to Backyard Chicken Keeping e-book now.

If you’ve been to one of our workshops, you’ll know how much we believe in hands-on learning and community. This guide is an extension of that—practical, encouraging, and grounded in real experience.

I can’t wait for you to read it. Let me know if you’re bringing chickens into your backyard—I’d love to hear about your plans!

Natasha xx

Explore more:

Follow along for more on sustainable living, gardening, and backyard chickens. 

Watering Deeply: The Key to Thriving, Resilient Plants

Watering is one of the simplest yet most misunderstood aspects of gardening. It’s easy to fall into the habit of a quick sprinkle every day, thinking we’re doing the right thing. But in reality, this approach does more harm than good. Instead, watering deeply and less frequently is the key to nurturing strong, resilient plants that can withstand the extremes of our climate.

What Does Deep Watering Mean?

Deep watering is about ensuring moisture reaches the entire root zone of a plant rather than just wetting the surface of the soil. When you water deeply, the water soaks into the soil, encouraging roots to grow further down in search of moisture. This is in stark contrast to a light sprinkle, which only wets the top few centimetres of soil and encourages shallow roots that are more vulnerable to heat, drought, and fluctuations in weather.

The Benefits of Watering Deeply

• Encourages Deep Root Growth

When plants develop deep roots, they can access moisture stored further down in the soil, making them more self-sufficient. This means they require less frequent watering and are far better equipped to cope with dry spells.

• Reduces Water Waste

A light sprinkle often evaporates before it can penetrate the soil, particularly in the heat of the day. Deep watering allows moisture to reach the root zone, where it’s needed most, reducing runoff and wastage.

• Promotes Plant Resilience

Plants with deeper root systems are more resilient to environmental stress. Whether it’s a scorching summer or an unexpected dry period, they can draw on the moisture stored deeper in the soil, reducing their dependency on irrigation.

• Improves Soil Health

Regular, deep watering encourages beneficial microbial activity in the soil, which in turn supports plant health. A well-hydrated soil structure retains nutrients more effectively, leading to stronger, more productive plants.

How to Water Deeply and Effectively

1. Water Less Often, But for Longer

Rather than giving your plants a quick sprinkle every day, aim to water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the season and soil type. This allows the moisture to soak in and encourages roots to grow deeper.

2. Use the Right Method

Soaker hoses, drip irrigation, or slow, steady watering with a hose at the base of plants ensures the water is delivered where it’s needed—at root level—without unnecessary evaporation.

3. Water Early or Late in the Day

Watering in the early morning or late afternoon reduces evaporation and ensures the water has time to penetrate before the heat of the day sets in.

4. Mulch to Retain Moisture

A thick layer of organic mulch (such as straw, bark, or compost) around plants helps lock in moisture, reducing the frequency of watering while keeping the soil cool.

5. Check Soil Moisture

To gauge whether your plants truly need watering, dig a few centimetres into the soil with your hand. If it’s dry below the surface, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, you can hold off.

Watering for a More Sustainable Garden

By shifting away from frequent shallow watering and embracing deep watering techniques, you’re not only saving time and water—you’re also fostering a garden that is more independent, resilient, and in tune with natural cycles. Plants that learn to seek moisture deep in the soil will reward you with stronger growth, increased productivity, and the ability to withstand the harsh conditions so common in our climate.

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.

And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and my Newsletter for more gardening wisdom.

Thanks so much for following along.

Natasha xx

The Hands That Grow and Cook: A Visit to Bar Midland’s Productive Garden

Bar Midland: A Testament to Sustainability, Provenance, and the Beauty of Productive Gardens

There is something undeniably special about walking through a garden where food is grown with intention—where each leaf, each root, each flower is nurtured not just for sustenance, but as part of a philosophy that honours the land, the seasons, and the act of growing itself. This is precisely what I experienced when I visited Bar Midland’s chef, Alex Marano, and his garden in Chewton, where much of the produce for the restaurant is cultivated.

Nestled in the heart of Castlemaine, Bar Midland is more than just a restaurant—it’s a living, breathing expression of sustainability, provenance, and a deep commitment to the land. Every dish that graces the tables at Bar Midland tells a story of its origins, its growers, and the careful stewardship that ensures its quality. Their approach to food is one that resonates deeply with my own beliefs about productive gardens and living well.

The Chewton Garden: Growing with Purpose

Chef Alex and his wife Dani have created a garden that is more than a source of produce—it is a reflection of their values. Here, the food is grown without chemicals, guided by organic and regenerative practices that enrich the soil and support biodiversity. This thoughtful, hands-on approach ensures that the ingredients used in Bar Midland’s kitchen are fresh, flavourful, and inherently connected to place.

Walking through their garden, I was reminded of why I champion productive gardens—not just as spaces to cultivate food, but as living ecosystems that sustain us, both physically and emotionally. A truly productive garden is not simply about yield; it is about working in symbiosis with nature, creating balance, and fostering abundance in a way that is restorative rather than extractive.

A Menu that Celebrates Provenance

Bar Midland’s menu is a reflection of the rich landscape of Victoria. They celebrate ingredients that are indigenous to this land, as well as introduced species that have become part of our culinary fabric. Their ethos extends beyond traditional farm-to-table concepts, embracing regenerative agriculture, foraged ingredients, and wild foods. Even the wine list is carefully curated to showcase the best of Victorian growers and makers, reinforcing their hyper-local approach.

One remarkable example of their commitment to provenance is Alex’s approach to sugar. Given that sugar is not commercially grown in Victoria, he has taken it upon himself to grow sugar beets and produce his own sweetener. This resourcefulness ensures that even the most fundamental ingredients align with Bar Midland’s ethos of sourcing and creating everything as locally as possible.

This philosophy speaks to the power of provenance—of knowing where our food comes from and valuing the hands that grow it. It is an approach that echoes through my own work with productive gardens and preserving, where every decision is guided by an appreciation for the land and the rhythms of the seasons.

Sustainability as a Way of Life

Sustainability is often discussed in the context of food, but at Bar Midland, it is embedded in every aspect of their operations. From their relationships with local farmers and producers to their commitment to minimising waste, sustainability is not a marketing buzzword—it is a way of life. They honour the traditional custodians of the land, the Jaara Jaara people of Dja Dja Wurrung Country, and work in a way that respects and uplifts the land’s natural cycles.

This is the essence of true sustainability—not just growing food responsibly, but considering how each choice impacts the broader landscape. It is about connection, stewardship, and a genuine respect for the intricate web of life that supports us.

Overcoming Challenges: Managing Kikuyu Grass Organically

One of the greatest challenges Alex has faced in establishing his garden is the relentless spread of kikuyu grass. Given his commitment to organic practices and his refusal to use chemical sprays, he has developed a strategic three-year plan to eradicate this invasive weed. The process begins with laying down plastic sheeting, which is then covered with mulch, effectively smothering the kikuyu over time.

In the meantime, much of his produce is grown in large above-ground garden beds and pots, allowing him to cultivate a diverse range of vegetables and herbs without interference from the encroaching grass. This approach is a testament to the fact that constraints often create opportunities. His efforts demonstrate that if a restaurant can successfully grow its own produce in pots and raised garden beds, then anyone—regardless of space limitations—can cultivate something meaningful, whether on a balcony, in a courtyard, or within a small backyard.

Living Well Through Connection to Land and Food

Visiting Alex’s garden and experiencing Bar Midland’s approach to food reaffirmed my belief that living well is deeply tied to our connection with the land. When we grow, harvest, cook, and eat with mindfulness, we nourish more than just our bodies—we cultivate a way of life that is fulfilling, rooted, and sustainable.

Bar Midland is a shining example of what is possible when food is treated as more than a commodity. It is a place where every ingredient has a story, where sustainability and provenance are woven into each dish, and where the act of dining becomes an experience of connection—to the land, to the growers, and to the community.

In many ways, their approach mirrors my own ethos with productive gardens—creating beauty and abundance in a way that is thoughtful, intentional, and always in symbiosis with nature. It is a reminder that good food is not just about taste, but about the journey it takes to reach our plates, and the values that shape its path.

https://www.barmidland.com/

If you’re passionate about sustainable gardening, provenance, and the beauty of growing your own food, explore my workshops and resources. Join me in cultivating a life that is abundant, connected, and in tune with the rhythms of nature.

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.

Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube | Subscribe to my newsletter

Thanks so much for following along—I love sharing this journey with you.

Natasha xx

Hydrangea Paniculata: A Year-Round Beauty in the Garden

There are few plants in my garden that offer as much beauty and seasonal transformation as Hydrangea paniculata. From the moment its blooms emerge in early summer, shifting through a palette of colours with the changing seasons, to the way it holds onto its flowers deep into winter—this is a plant that never fails to bring joy.

A Symphony of Colour Through the Seasons

The first time I planted Hydrangea paniculata, it came without a cultivar name, yet its beauty was undeniable. Over the last decade, I have propagated it from winter cuttings, carrying its legacy from one garden to the next, from Oak & Monkey Puzzle to Little Cottage on a Hill. Each cutting tells a story, a reminder of the way gardens evolve yet remain connected through plants passed on with care.

The flowers start out in a soft green hue before transforming into creamy whites, blush pinks, and deeper rose tones. As the season progresses, they shift into rich burgundy, burnt amber, and, finally, golden hues in winter. Even as the blooms fade, they leave behind a sculptural filigree of veins, a delicate, skeletal beauty that holds its own against the starkness of winter.

Growing Hydrangea Paniculata

Unlike the more delicate mophead hydrangeas, Hydrangea paniculata thrives in full sun and is significantly hardier. It flourishes in cool to temperate climates, easily handling frost and winter dormancy before bursting back into life in spring. Well-drained soil enriched with compost will support vigorous growth, but beyond that, it’s a remarkably resilient plant requiring little maintenance.

• Sun & Position: Prefers full sun to part shade. More sun encourages the strongest flower colour.

• Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter.

• Watering: Requires regular watering in the first year but becomes more drought-tolerant once established.

• Pruning: Best pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Cutting back encourages a fresh flush of large, showy flowers.

• Propagation: Easily propagated from winter hardwood cuttings—a technique I’ve used for years to continue its presence in my gardens.

Uses in the Garden & Beyond

Beyond its sheer beauty, Hydrangea paniculata is a workhorse in the garden. It makes an exceptional hedge or mass planting, offering a bold display of floral drama. When planted en masse, it creates a breathtaking wave of seasonal colour and texture.

For florists, it’s a dream. The fresh blooms are perfect for extravagant wedding arbours, centrepieces, and bouquets. As they dry, their form remains intact, lending themselves to hanging installations and arrangements that carry the beauty of the season forward.

Where to Source Hydrangea Paniculata

Once difficult to find, Hydrangea paniculata is now much easier to source, with many cultivars available to suit different garden styles and preferences. Whether you're looking for classic varieties or more unique selections, here are some great places to find them in Australia:

• Woodbridge Nursery – Website | Instagram: @woodbridge_nursery

• Woodside Plants & Design – Website | Instagram: @woodsideplantsanddesign

• Lambley Nursery – Website | Instagram: @lambley_nursery

These nurseries offer a variety of cultivars, from the elegant ‘Grandiflora’ to the blush-toned ‘Pink Diamond.’ Whether you're looking to create a bold hedge, a feature planting, or floristry material, these sources provide excellent quality plants ready for your garden.

A Lasting Presence

Now, in the height of summer here in Daylesford, Victoria, Hydrangea paniculata is in full bloom, its flowers catching the golden light of the season. It reminds me that beauty in the garden is not just about fleeting moments but about plants that evolve, adapt, and offer something at every stage of the year. This is why Hydrangea paniculata remains one of my most treasured plants, a constant presence through changing seasons and changing gardens.

For anyone seeking a plant that delivers on beauty, resilience, and versatility, this is the one. A true garden companion, from the first flush of summer green to the golden glow of winter.

If the seasonal beauty of Hydrangea Paniculata has inspired you, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming workshops at Little Cottage on a Hill, Daylesford. Whether you’re looking to design your garden oasis, cultivate a productive and beautifully abundant space, or explore skills in preserving, sustainability and seasonal living, my workshops offer hands-on learning in an intimate, inspiring setting.

Upcoming 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.

Stay connected for more seasonal inspiration:

Thanks so much for following along—I love sharing this journey with you.

Natasha xx

Growing Soil: The Foundation to Vibrant Gardens and Nutrient-Dense Plants

When it comes to gardening, there’s a prevailing mindset that plants are the focus—after all, they’re the ones that bear the flowers, fruit, and greenery we cherish. However, over the years, I’ve come to realise that the true key to a thriving garden lies not in the plants themselves, but in the soil beneath them. Healthy soil is the silent partner in every garden’s success, providing the essential foundation for plant health, nutrient density, and overall garden vitality. The message I always share with fellow gardeners is this: feed the soil, not the plants.

The philosophy of growing soil might seem a bit backwards at first, but it is through nurturing the soil that we ultimately provide plants with everything they need to flourish. Think of the soil as the heart of the garden—rich in essential nutrients, diverse microorganisms, and the structure required to support healthy plant growth. In the same way that we must care for our own health to feel and perform our best, soil health is integral to a garden’s success.

The Backbone of Soil Health: Structure and Beneficial Microorganisms

A healthy garden starts with healthy soil. The structure of the soil dictates how well water, air, and nutrients are retained and made available to plants. It’s not just about the nutrients that exist in the soil, but also the way those nutrients interact with the roots. Soil rich in organic matter provides a more balanced and thriving environment for plant roots to access minerals, water, and air.

The richness of soil goes far beyond its mineral content. Beneath the surface, a vibrant community of beneficial microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and earthworms work tirelessly to break down organic matter, making nutrients available to plants in a natural and sustainable way. These microorganisms also enhance soil structure, improve water retention, and boost plant resilience. In fact, many plants are able to access the nutrients they need only because of the interaction between their roots and these beneficial organisms.

The concept of growing soil essentially means fostering this community of life—encouraging the soil’s microbiome to thrive, which in turn supports the plants. This approach is central to the notion that we must feed the soil, not the plants. When you focus on soil health, you’re not just adding fertiliser to make plants grow faster; you’re creating an ecosystem where plants can take up nutrients as nature intended, resulting in healthier, more nutrient-dense produce.

Why Soil Health Matters: A Holistic Approach to Gardening

Soil health affects everything—from the growth of plants to the flavour of your vegetables. If your soil is well-nourished and full of life, your plants will thrive without the need for synthetic chemicals or constant fertilisation. Nutrient density, particularly in food crops, directly correlates with the health of the soil. If the soil lacks the proper minerals and microorganisms, plants struggle to absorb nutrients, and the result is less flavourful and less nutritious produce.

A good example of this is the way we see our food garden versus ornamental or lawn-based gardens. While all gardens benefit from good soil, vegetable gardens—where you’re looking to maximise yield and nutrient density—particularly rely on the richness of the soil to deliver the nutrition you need from your harvest. The more diverse and active the soil ecosystem, the better the flavour, the more vibrant the colours, and the higher the nutritional content.

How to Grow Soil

There are a number of practices I follow to build and maintain healthy soil in the garden, ensuring it remains the foundation for plant growth. 

One of the simplest and most effective methods is the no-dig approach, which aligns perfectly with my philosophy of minimal disruption. Digging and tilling can harm the soil’s delicate structure, disrupt beneficial organisms, and lead to erosion and compaction over time. No-dig gardening allows the soil’s ecosystem to flourish undisturbed, creating a healthy, living environment for plants.

In a no-dig garden, organic matter such as compost, mulch, or even lawn clippings are added to the top of the soil, where they break down slowly, feeding the microorganisms and enriching the soil with vital nutrients. 

Over time, these additions form a fertile layer that not only nurtures plant life but also improves water retention and prevents soil erosion. This method also saves time and energy while giving you more space to focus on growing your garden’s beauty and abundance.

Another crucial practice in growing soil is crop rotation, which helps prevent soil depletion. By rotating what you grow in different areas each year, you prevent any one set of nutrients from being overused and ensure that your soil remains balanced. Including deep-rooted plants like legumes (peas and beans) can also help to fix nitrogen in the soil, while other crops will absorb different minerals, keeping the soil in good health.

If you want to further enhance soil health, consider planting green manure crops. Varieties such as clover, mustard, or fava beans are ideal for enriching the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, particularly nitrogen. These fast-growing plants are typically cut down before they flower and can be left to decompose on the surface, where they slowly break down and return vital nutrients to the soil. This natural process not only boosts fertility but also improves soil structure, enhancing water retention and aeration. Green manure crops help increase microbial activity and add valuable organic matter, supporting a healthy, balanced soil ecosystem that benefits plant growth for the long term. It’s a technique I’ve had huge success with when it comes to promoting good soil structure, especially in heavy soils.

A Sustainable Approach to Soil

Ultimately, soil is the unsung hero of every successful garden. By understanding that it is the soil we’re growing, not just the plants, we tap into a much more sustainable and rewarding approach to gardening.

Matthew Evans, in his book Soil, strongly advocates for seeing soil as a living, dynamic system that needs to be nurtured with organic matter, minimal disturbance, and biodiversity. His philosophy encourages gardeners to grow their soil first, which will naturally lead to healthy, thriving plants and a more sustainable gardening practice. For further insight into Evans’ approach, his book Soil is an excellent resource. 

By shifting our focus to nourishing the soil—through practices such as no-dig gardening, crop rotation, composting, and cover cropping—we create a lasting, fertile foundation that will support vibrant, nutrient-dense plants for years to come. Soil health isn’t just about feeding plants; it’s about fostering a thriving ecosystem that supports life, enriches the environment, and ultimately helps you grow a healthier, more resilient garden.

Take a moment to pause, observe, and appreciate the incredible life happening beneath your feet. In doing so, you’ll begin to understand the profound impact that soil health has on your garden’s success. After all, a garden begins with the soil—and so does its true potential.

Further Reading and Resources

• Matthew Evans’ Soil - An in-depth exploration of soil health, its role in sustainable gardening, and practical advice on building vibrant, living soil ecosystems.

• YouTube Video: “Growing and Nurturing Soil Health” - Watch Matthew Evans’ conversation with Nick Ritar of Milkwood that further delves into the importance of soil health for creating sustainable, thriving gardens. Watch it here.

Growing Zucchini: Space-Saving and Pollination Tips for an Abundant Harvest

Zucchini are a joy to grow, but let’s be honest—they can be space-hungry plants! This morning, as I harvested a mix of Zucchini ‘Nitro’ (green) and ‘Goldy’ (yellow), grown from seeds by the brilliant team at Lambley Nursery, I reflected on the tips and tricks I’ve learnt over the years to grow zucchini successfully without letting them overrun the garden.

If you’ve been struggling with space constraints or are noticing issues with fruit development, this guide is for you. Whether you’re working with a sprawling veggie patch or a modest raised bed, these tips will help you cultivate an abundant, healthy crop of zucchini.

1. Prepare the Soil for Success

Zucchini thrive in a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil. They’re heavy feeders, so taking the time to enrich their growing area with plenty of compost and aged manure will reward you with lush, productive plants.

In my cool temperate climate here at Little Cottage on a Hill, zucchini can be planted between September and January. Aim to space plants about a metre apart if you’re growing them traditionally.

2. Save Space with Vertical Growing

One of the best lessons I’ve learned is to encourage zucchini to grow vertically. By staking plants or training them to trail over the edges of raised beds, you can save precious garden space and improve airflow around the leaves. This not only keeps your garden looking tidy but also helps reduce the risk of powdery mildew—a common problem during warm, humid summers.

I use sturdy bamboo or hardwood stakes, securing the stems gently with elastic ties as they grow. If you’re using raised beds, consider planting near the edges and allowing the plants to cascade over the sides. It’s a simple change that can make a huge difference.

3. Harvest Regularly for Continuous Yields

Zucchini are most tender and flavourful when picked young. Regular harvesting not only ensures you’re enjoying them at their best but also encourages the plants to produce more flowers and fruit.

During peak season, I make it a habit to check my plants every couple of days. It’s incredible how quickly zucchini can grow—leave them too long, and they’ll transform from petite and perfect to oversized marrows in no time!

4. Water Wisely

Consistent, deep watering is key to growing healthy zucchini plants. Water at the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth and avoid wetting the leaves, as this can exacerbate mildew problems.

During the hottest parts of summer, I water early in the morning or late in the evening, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

5. Address Pollination Problems

If your zucchini are starting to form but the ends are rotting before they mature, the issue is likely poor pollination. Zucchini plants produce both male and female flowers, and for fruit to develop, the pollen needs to be transferred between them.

If you’re not seeing many bees around, don’t despair—you can hand-pollinate. Early in the morning, pick a male flower (it has a straight stem), remove the petals, and gently brush the pollen onto the centre of a female flower (the one with a small swelling at the base). It’s a simple process and one that can make all the difference to your harvest.

What’s Your Experience with Growing Zucchini?

Zucchini are a staple in my summer garden, not only for their abundance but also for their versatility in the kitchen. From quick sautés to homemade pickles, they’re a reminder of why I garden in the first place—to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce straight from the soil.

Have you tried growing zucchini in your garden? I’d love to hear your tips, tricks, and challenges in the comments below. Let’s continue to share and grow together.

Welcome to My Little Corner of the World

Hello, I’m Natasha Morgan – a landscape architect by profession, but above all, a lifelong gardener and maker. I’ve noticed so many new faces joining my little community recently, so I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself and share a bit about my journey. It’s so lovely to have you here!

The Dream of Oak and Monkey Puzzle

In 2014, after years of working as a Senior Landscape Architect and lecturing in landscape architecture, I made a life-changing decision. My family and I left Melbourne to embrace a long-held dream – a tree change to a 5-acre property in Spargo Creek, just outside Daylesford.

We named the property ‘Oak and Monkey Puzzle’ after its grand old namesake colonial trees, and it was nothing short of transformative. It wasn’t just a garden; it became a hub for growing, gathering, and creating. The property offered a rich canvas to combine my professional expertise with my passions for design, gardening, preserving and community building.

Workshops and events at Oak and Monkey Puzzle brought together artisans, creatives, and like-minded individuals. It was a place where flowers bloomed, vegetables thrived, and friendships flourished alongside the plants. It was also deeply personal – a space where I found a new rhythm, working with the seasons and living more intentionally with the land.

Closing One Chapter, Opening Another

After nine wonderful years, in 2022, it was time to close the chapter on Oak and Monkey Puzzle. Those years taught me invaluable lessons about community, resilience, and the beauty of combining creativity with sustainability.

From Spargo Creek, my family and I downsized to 515m² in Daylesford and began a new adventure: Little Cottage on a Hill.

Little Cottage on a Hill: A New Experiment

Little Cottage on a Hill is proof that you don’t need vast acres to create abundance. On this compact block, I’ve embraced the challenge of designing a garden that is both productive and beautiful. The property includes verge gardens overflowing with seasonal produce, espaliered fruit trees lining the fences, and a small kitchen garden designed with wicking beds for maximum yield with minimal space and water.

This project has become an experiment in sustainable living. It’s about creating multifunctional spaces, working within constraints, and showing what’s possible – even on a small scale.

Sharing My Passion

While the scale of my garden has changed, my passion for teaching, growing, and creating hasn’t. Today, I host workshops, collaborate with other artisans, and share tips to help others design gardens that are productive, sustainable, and uniquely theirs – no matter the size of the space they’re working with.

If you’ve been following me since the Oak and Monkey Puzzle days, thank you for your continued support. If you’re new here, welcome! I’m so glad to have you along for this next chapter.

Living Well with the Land

Whether it’s a sprawling 5 acres or a modest 515m², I’ve come to realise that living well is about finding beauty and abundance in what you have. My journey has been one of discovery – of the land, the seasons, and my own creativity.

I hope to inspire you to explore your connection to the land and create something meaningful in your own corner of the world. Here’s to small spaces, big ideas, and living well with the land.

The Beauty of Diverse Productive Gardens: Finding Inspiration in Every Space

The morning light streams through the summer haze as I sit here, tea in hand, watching the bees buzz between the flowering herbs and vegetables. The garden is approaching its most abundant time now, with tomatoes ripening on their vines and zucchini seemingly doubling in size overnight. From a life of making productive gardens and my transition between Oak & Monkey Puzzle's sprawling 5 acres to Little Cottage on a Hill's intimate 515m², I've learnt that productive gardens come in all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique story to tell.

Nature has a way of teaching us that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to creating a productive garden. Each space holds its own magic, whether it's a tiny urban courtyard or a sprawling rural property. The potential for abundance is always there, if we learn to work with what we have - especially when the earth feels warm beneath our feet and the air is thick with the scent of ripening tomatoes.

Today, I want to share a round-up of inspiring productive gardens that form part of a ridiculously large collection of images in my Pinterest library (I am a serial collector of 'precedent images'). Each demonstrates the myriad of ways productive gardens can be designed and implemented and that with abundance there can be great beauty whilst meeting the needs of each context.

The Layered Garden

Pinterest: theartofdoingstuff.com

Pinterest: France-Voyage.com

There's something magical about a garden that grows up as well as out. I love how climbing beans create living walls, their flowers drawing in buzzing bees while their leaves cast dancing shadows on the plants below. At Little Cottage on a Hill, these vertical spaces have become some of our most precious growing areas. On hot summer days, the layers of green create cool, sheltered spots where tender lettuces can thrive even as the temperature soars.

The Urban Oasis

Pinterest: Blog - Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.

Pinterest: Frozzmak

Pinterest: Laura

It fills me with joy to see how creative gardeners become when space is limited. Some of the most inspiring productive gardens I've seen are tucked into the smallest corners of city life. Pots overflow with herbs, vertical walls burst with strawberries, and clever trellises transform bare walls into green havens. These spaces remind me that gardening isn't about the size of your plot - it's about working with what you have and finding beauty in the possibilities.

The Traditional Kitchen Garden

Pinterest: Weddingbee

Pinterest: Kate Boucher Cooper

Pinterest: veranda.com

Perhaps it's the rhythm of repeated plantings or the satisfaction of neat rows bursting with life, but there's something deeply grounding about a traditional kitchen garden. Right now, ours is a symphony of summer abundance - tomatoes reaching for the sky, basil perfuming the air, and zucchini flowers opening to greet the morning sun. Between these ordered rows, nature adds her own touch - self-seeded flowers pop up in unexpected places, creating moments of surprise and delight.

The Orchard Garden

Orchards are, for me, special landscape spaces. At Oak & Monkey Puzzle, the fruit trees created their own rhythm through the seasons, from spring blossoms to summer's abundance. The skills I learnt in trying out espaliering was a particular joy - watching fruit trees trained along wires transform a simple fence line into a productive, living wall. Now at Little Cottage on a Hill, we're creating our own espalier orchard along the north-facing fenceline, proving that even in a small space, we can work with nature to create beautiful, productive boundaries. On hot summer days, I'm especially grateful for the dappled shade fruit trees cast, creating perfect spots for both plants and people to gather.

Lessons from an Ever-Evolving Garden

Pinterest: geograph.org.uk

Pinterest: treevitalize.com

Pinterest: apieceofrainbow.com

What I've learnt through my own journey is that productive gardens are truly "open works" - they're never finished, always evolving through seasons and years. Right now, they're teaching me about resilience, about adapting to heat and how to preserve precious water while still creating abundance. This is my driest summer in years, and now, being located in Daylesford, I’m learning about what that means in this location.

Growing Through Change: Productive Gardening for Every Space

As we continue to adapt to our changing climate and smaller spaces, these diverse approaches to productive gardening become increasingly valuable. They show us that whether we have acres or square metres, there's always room to grow, to learn, and to create beauty - even in the challenges of an Australian summer.

Want to learn more about creating your own productive garden? Join me for my upcoming workshop: Workshop with Natasha Morgan. Together, we'll explore how to transform your space, whatever its size, into a thriving productive garden that reflects your unique vision of living well.

I'd love to hear about your favourite productive gardens. What style speaks to you? Share your faves in the comments below —- It’s so good to know from others what inspires them too.