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

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

That revelation led her to question how much space she truly required. With two autistic children reaching an age where being closer to friends became important, the decision to downsize to a 515-square-metre property in Daylesford was set in motion. "I started thinking, how small could I go and still translate all the lessons that I'd learned over the 10 years of Oak & Monkey Puzzle onto a new property?"

Little Cottage on a Hill became an experiment in distilling the abundance of nature into a sustainable compact space. "Obviously, it's an urban environment, which is a challenge but also a great opportunity. Moving to Oak & Monkey Puzzle was my foray into country living from inner-city Melbourne, and now I had to ask myself, how could I recreate those things - seasonality, cycles, and the beauty of productive landscapes - on a smaller scale?" One answer was espaliering fruit trees along the north-facing 27-metre fence line, transforming it into a vertical orchard.

The transition wasn’t just about space but about community. "At Oak & Monkey Puzzle, people mostly didn’t know where it was, whereas here, I’m out on display all the time. From the moment I started building the garden, people would stop by, ask questions, and leave notes on my doorstep with gifts of produce."

Natasha’s vision extends beyond her own garden. "I have this dream that one day in Daylesford, we’ll have a Festival of Verges, where people can walk around and see how public spaces can be reclaimed for community use." In just one month, she harvested over 75 kilograms of produce from her tiny block. "If everybody grew one thing and we all swapped and shared, it would be incredible."

Workshops have become a cornerstone of her practice again, with topics ranging from medicinal gardening to backyard chicken-keeping. "At first, I was nervous about running workshops in a half-built small block, but the response was phenomenal. Oak & Monkey Puzzle was beautiful but aspirational; here, people walk away saying, 'I can do this in my own backyard.'"

And now, Natasha is taking her knowledge beyond Daylesford. "I literally signed a book contract 45 minutes ago," she says. "It will be a cross between an inspiring coffee table book and a practical gardening guide, showing how to create spaces that are filled with beauty and abundance."

Little Cottage on a Hill is a laboratory, an evolving experiment in sustainable living. "It’s my silent protest for the world. Social media, workshops, books - it’s all about sharing knowledge, about creating something that feels relevant and meaningful. And most of all, it’s about living well."

STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL
PHOTOS BY CHRI S TURNER

Natasha Morgan
@natasha_morgan_
natashamorgan.com.au