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

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

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

So, I put my idea to the test.

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

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

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

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

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

Explore my workshops:

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

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

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

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

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

You may want to check my related content below:

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

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

Check them out for more gardening tips and inspiration!

Natasha xx

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

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

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.

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.

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.