The region has received around 85 millimetres of rain so far this month, already surpassing the monthly average for January. And keen Karabar gardeners Shannon and Em Callaghan have a bumper crop from their vegie patch to show for it, with a great and diverse harvest of fruit and vegetables coming through.

The couple and their two young sons moved to the region in 2007, and quickly got to work improving the heavy clay-based soil and installing a number vegie gardens.

Following a transitory life of rental properties due to Shannon's work in the army, the Callaghan clan said they were excited to buy their first home in Queanbeyan and get to work fixing it up.

"It's been great to grow our own food, and to put down some roots here, literally and figuratively," Mrs Callaghan said.

Her husband Shannon was so committed to one day reaping a good crop from their garden that he hand sieved hundreds of litres of soil to get all the small rocks out, for the perfect carrots and spuds.

They now grow a wide range of fruit and veg, including corn, pears, cherries, blackberries and strawberries, as well as rhubarb, carrots, potatoes, cucumber, zucchini, a variety of herbs and much more.

"It's been great fun for the kids," Mrs Callaghan said. "They get to see where their food comes from and they help out as well. In summer they can come out and pick blackberries and strawberries for dessert."

And after battling breast cancer over the last two years, Mrs Callaghan said she was gaining a positive wellbeing boost from her garden as well as the fresh produce.

"It's been nice to come out into the garden to relax. And I don't have to worry about pesticides or anything."

Mrs Callaghan recommended Queanbeyan residents starting vegie patches for the first time this summer pay attention to ensuring adequate shading for the garden beds from the hottest summer sun, as well as planting a wide range of veg in smaller quantities, rather than focusing heavily on just a few varieties.