Natasha Morgan: Designer by Profession, Multi-Disciplinary Creative by Inclination.

A trained architect and landscape architect, Natasha spent over a decade shaping some of Australia’s most significant landscapes, including her time managing the design and construction of The Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. She also shared her expertise as a lecturer in the Masters of Landscape Architecture at RMIT and The University of Melbourne, shaping the next generation of creative minds.

seasons, and the slow, deliberate art of creating beauty led her to take two years out at the School of Life, immersing herself in Melbourne’s world of floristry, event design, and bespoke experiences. From there, she embraced a radical tree change, moving with her young family from the city to Spargo Creek, Victoria, where she founded Oak & Monkey Puzzle — a 5-acre haven named after the striking trees dotting the property.

At Oak & Monkey Puzzle, Natasha’s passion for productive and immersive gardens flourished. She grew, foraged, flowered, preserved, and shared — turning her home into a hub for workshops, artisans, and community gatherings.

Visitors didn’t just come for the gardens; they came for the sense of belonging Natasha cultivated. From her berry patches and kitchen gardens to her orchards and wild forest spaces, she has a unique gift for creating environments where nature, creativity, and connection converge.

“I’ve always loved drawing inside the lines, but gardening teaches you quickly that nature doesn’t follow rules,” she says.

Her approach celebrates the unexpected — the wild tendrils, the untamed blooms, the surprises of the seasons — transforming them into something spectacular.

After nearly a decade, Natasha and her family embarked on their next chapter at Little Cottage on a Hill, a 515-square-metre property in Daylesford. Here, she distills all she’s learned from Oak & Monkey Puzzle into a more intimate, yet equally abundant garden. Every corner, every wicking bed, every orchard tree reflects her philosophy: beauty, productivity, and sustainability can coexist effortlessly.

Natasha’s biggest tip for home gardeners?

“Work with the land and the seasons, not against them.”

She encourages creating a garden that reflects your space, climate, and lifestyle rather than trying to impose a rigid design. Key points she often shares:

• Think in layers: Combine productive plants (vegetables, herbs, fruit trees) with ornamentals and flowers for beauty, biodiversity, and yield.

• Observe before acting: Notice light, soil, and moisture patterns before planting. Let the natural conditions guide your choices.

• Sustainable systems: Use tools like wicking beds, composting, and water-wise planting to grow more with less effort.

• Patience and adaptability: Gardens evolve. Embrace experimentation, observe results, and adjust season by season.

Natasha’s philosophy for home gardeners is all about creating spaces that are abundant, low-maintenance, and deeply connected to nature — making your garden a joy to live in, not just admire.

Want to learn more?

Natasha runs a series of hands-on workshops where you can learn the art of gardening, slow down, reconnect with the seasons, and cultivate a life that’s as intentional as it is beautiful.

Her workshops can be found here: Natasha Morgan Workshops