Know your zone

You'll have a much healthier and happier garden if you choose plants that are appropriate to your zone.  Your success rate will improve dramatically too. You can find which planting zone you are in on a Heat Zone Map. You'll find an excellent map, with explanation  here: http://www.diggers.com.au/climate.shtml#heat.  Find your region on the map and make a note of the zone. Then, when you are shopping for seeds or seedlings, check the tag to make sure they are going to be suitable for your zone. Knowing your zone will save you heartbreak over lost plants and money, time and energy trying to grow the wrong plants for your area.