The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan
The Productive Garden with Natasha Morgan
Time: 10am to 1pm
Dates: Sunday 5 October 2025
Location: Daylesford, Victoria
For as long as I can remember, I have tended a productive garden. From childhood veggie patches to the abundant landscapes of Oak and Monkey Puzzle, growing has always grounded me and shaped how I see the world. This workshop draws from that lived experience.
Whether you're working with a courtyard, a veggie patch or a larger garden, this is about creating a productive space that offers both beauty and abundance.
We explore what productive gardening really means. I share how my process has evolved across two very different properties—Oak and Monkey Puzzle and Little Cottage on a Hill—blending hands-on learning with thoughtful intent.
We cover soil care, compost systems, green manures, vertical growing, chickens, worms and closed-loop cycles. You’ll see how I use wicking beds as productive, water-wise microclimates, and how I approach different soil types and site conditions.
We talk about heirlooms and hybrids, perennial and medicinal layers, espalier techniques, and the role of beauty in even the most functional plantings.
This is not a technical how-to on growing food. It is a practical and inspiring session on preparing and shaping a garden that is generous, resilient and connected to place. You’ll leave with tools and ideas to help you begin.
The Productive Garden Workshop includes:
A guided walk through Natasha’s productive garden at Little Cottage on a Hill
Discussion of compost towers, wicking beds, vertical growing, water-wise design and seasonal systems
Insights into integrating chickens, worm farms and closed-loop cycles into a backyard setting
Conversations on plant selection, companion planting, green manures and productive layering
Techniques for soil improvement, site adaptation and building resilient growing spaces
A short creative design exercise to help you begin mapping out your own productive space
Morning tea from Natasha’s kitchen and verge garden, featuring seasonal and homegrown ingredients
Reflections from Oak and Monkey Puzzle on growing abundance at scale
Time for questions, discussion and shared learning in an intimate small-group setting
Who this is for: This workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to grow food, flowers or herbs in a way that is purposeful, beautiful and sustainable. Whether you're just beginning or refining what you already have, this session will support you in creating a productive garden that works with your space, your needs and your values. No previous gardening or design experience is required.
What past participants have said:
“I attended a Productive Garden workshop at Natasha’s ‘Little Cottage on the Hill’ on a chilly wintery Daylesford morning. It was such a cosy and welcoming experience. Natasha’s lovely nature shines through as she shares her gardening experience and tips. I came away full of ideas and possibilities and a sense that I was perfectly able to achieve these. I was so glad I attended.” Bernadette
“What a warm and welcoming environment Natasha created. The workshop was informative, practical and accessible for all levels of skill and prior knowledge. Thank you so much Natasha.”
“Totally inspired by the Productive Garden Workshop held by Natasha Morgan . After visiting Oak & Monkey Puzzle it was amazing to see and hear how much Natasha has achieved in such a short time at Little Cottage on a Hill. It is such a special place and very inspiring to see her new adventure.” Lynette
Class size is limited to ensure an intimate and engaging experience.
About Natasha: Natasha Morgan is an award-winning landscape architect, educator and creative collaborator. She has worked on some of Australia’s most significant public realm projects, including managing the design and construction of The Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. For over 12 years, she has also taught landscape architecture at both RMIT and Melbourne Universities.
In 2014, Natasha made a tree change with a purpose, creating the internationally recognised Oak and Monkey Puzzle in Spargo Creek. Today she continues her design journey at Little Cottage on a Hill. A 515 square metre site in Daylesford where she distils large-scale principles into a smaller, highly considered space that supports growing, gathering and seasonal living.
Natasha shares her work through workshops, public speaking and creative collaborations. She is also currently writing her first book and developing a new online platform to support others in designing and living with the land. Natasha is the Community Manager of Gardenstead. An international platform connecting people who grow, design, tend and live creatively with plants and place.