I suspect my weather is probably pretty similar to yours, Leigh. I don't do much preserving, since I'm really limited to freezing (it's way too humid to dehydrate anything here, canning supplies are hard to get, and we mostly like fresh veg anyway), and most things are available to one extent or another most of the year. I do freeze mulberries and passionfruit, since their seasons are pretty limited, and I do occasionally like a berry pie out of season. Green beans I can stagger by planting scarlet runners in the cool season, and different types during the cold. My real limitation is pest/disease pressure, and I'm okay doing without for a few months til the next season starts.
The few preserves I do make are those I really like to eat and are abundant in their season. Mango pickle, sauerkraut, pickled daikon, etc. I clearly do it more out of taste than out of necessity!