I live in a fairly dry area of South Australia with an average rainfall less than 300mm. (much less these last few years) and rely on the ever increasingly saline and expensive water supply from the Murray River. We have lived here since Dec 93.
Summer temps can reach 45°C for many days in Jan/Feb and severe frosts to -10°C during June and right through into October.
We try to grow most of our own fruit and vegetables and we enjoy cooking and eating the results.