the first thing we did when we got ours was to build a pond, (if there's not one there allready), it will bring you plenty of frogs and toads to keep the local slugs at bay! also we made feed tables and hangers for the birds (who will in turn eat most of the caterpillers, bugs etc, ) we also use a lot of companion planting, ie: plants that help each other,
http://www.kew.org/plants/vegetables/companion plants.html
http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/compa nion.htm
if there's a greenhouse or shed, place water butts underneath the gutterings to catch the rainwater,
hope this helps, but most of all enjoy it, good luck :-)