Don't plant everything at once otherwise you can end up with what's politely termed 'a glut' (more than you can handle at a time).

Set aside an area that you can protect from hungry snails and friends, and scritching birds - and use seedling planters to start small quantities of veggies you know you love to eat - plus some you'd like to try.

If you prefer leaf salads, start your varieties in flats or punnets for planting out once the first crop has come to the end of its production. If you like heads of lettuce or other saladings work out how many you think you'll be needing and for when - then get the seeds started with a few for possible losses or gifts. While they're growing to plant out size you can either have another crop in the ground or be getting the soil ready for the fast growth saladings need. Planting into cells helps you avoid transplant shock, or you might use peat pots.

Reliable watering is essential.

Always add new compost to the soil before replanting an area, to maintain vigour. (Not 'raw' pre-breakdown compost - good and well-aged. you may have to buy it in for the first year while your own bins get to working.)

Use a planting calendar for your area to work out when to get seed in the ground or planter to get out the crop you want. Use the info on the back of the seed packet to work out how far ahead you need to prepare.

Hi CK, Welcome to the boards. Sounds like you got some
good advice from vetivert. You can also check with
your local ag center or check your local library for
local books on gardening. Good luck and please post pics.

Brenda
NOLA