CallMeAnn - The trick with gardening in a hot place is to pay no attention (or little attention) to what the calendar says. Everyone "knows" that gardens are planted in the spring, and things grow in the summer. Where you are you might be better off planting in the fall. I live in the PNW, and have lived in N. California, so reading gardening books from New England can be frustrating - rainfall patterns are quite different. If you want to try your hand at gardening again find a book written for your general area to get some tips. I know they are out there, though can't remember any names right now. Another option, if you don't want a book, is to talk with the staff at a good local plant nursery (not the garden section of the local hardware store LOL). They usually are quite knowledgeable.