Hi Aussie, gardening is dependent on so many things, no two seasons are the same, that's part of the fun. I live in the New Forest, very mild climate and wonderful soil. Our cottage is over 100 years old, with a long, thin garden, the veg. patch is near the bottom. We can grow beans well, but carrots are never good, due to carrot root fly; and parsnips are always hit and miss. Spuds grow well too, so DIL concentrates on beans and spuds in her "patch", it's her corner of the garden, with a fence round it to keep baby and dog in, with a "Worker's rest" complete with settee - electric will be fitted soon! Baby is 15 months old, loves "helping" and the dog loves helping DIL dig spuds, he's very gentle. It's a sun trap, protected all round by sheds, hedges and trees. Away from the road, you can hear all sorts of birds, including a pair of buzzards calling each other in flight - they live on a farm nearby. We have a little robin which always appears as soon as we go out into the garden.