I have an asparagus bed and it is doing very well. I should be able to harvest this spring.
My artichoke also seems to do very well in this climate. I am going to plant a few more this year.

I am trying an artichoke in a pot and so far so good.

I'll give the asparagus a try. My husband will be happy, asparagus is his favorite.

For the asparagus, I dug up the bed really well, but other than that it requires little maintenence. I read the directions from sites like, http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/vegetable/asparagus.html

I have had my artichoke for a season and it already has doubled in size, so make sure it has room to grow.