I'm new to the forum and to gardening as well. I just bought a house and so now I have this little but nice piece of backyard that needs my love and care.
I'm more than willing to love it, except I know nothing about gardening and I don't want to do the wrong thing.
I've never had a green thumb, but I want to change that, and I need a little direction from people that know, experts in gardening, especially the kind of gardening that work on the northeast. I'm not sure how much can/should I do now that is December.
Should I wait for Spring?
In any case, in which order and what things should I begin doing?
Is there a "bible" for gardening? Like a great introductory book?
I would like this little backyard to have a couple of different sections, one for toys for my baby, like a swing and a slide (something small), one for a table and some chairs, and then some green and maybe a garden to grow tomatoes and herbs. Can I grow tomatoes and herbs in NY? Can I grow anything in NY?
Thank you,
Elisa

Look around your area and see what is already growing there that you like. ASK what it is. Write it down. Look it up. Most plants come in more than one size/color/shape. You may like another one better. Check its zone before you buy.
Plants in pots do not usually survive the winter unless you do something to insure their survival (look up overwintering container plants).
Resist the urge to buy at garage sales. 'I have plenty" often means 'its invasive' and thats never good.
Honeysuckle is an easy choice for a fence, however they can have issues, 'Major Wheeler' is nearly carefree and a good choice, hummingbirds adore it.
Check your municipality for free compost. Do not use free mulch, it may contained the wood from diseased trees. Do not use Cypress Mulch it may contain insects not native to your area.
I moved to Wisc. from Calif and had to relearn gardening for the Northern climates. Buy a good book, expect happy mistakes. Look for seeds that sprout fast, and engage your child.

Before you even plunk down a single cent on any plants, do your garden planning first. (There are tons of plants that are suitable in your zone). Try to plot out on paper what you'd like to do first.

Determine what sun this area gets. Are you facing north, south, west, east? - if it's full sun, then we can work on tons of good flowering plants. if it's a shady garden, then we'll work on shade plants. If it's somewhere in between, there are many more plants you can add.

Locate where you'd like a patio. Set your seats around the area.. then see if you'd like some 'privacy'. You can 'block' your neighbor's from seeing you by setting a tree, posts (with climbing plants) in that particular area... It's all about good planning.

A good tool for doing all these is your camera. Take photos of your yard, print them out on paper and draw directly on the photos. Say a tree here, a shrub there.. all that. so you get a feel on what you need to do.

Once you make this determination.. then we can advise you on what plants to use.

thank you again for helping back then, I have been doing sooo much reading and I definitely know a bit more now. I've ordered and planted vegetables, even got some nice broccoli plants sprouted from seeds (I know, I read they're pretty easy)... I will have some pictures for you soon.
I've learned that I prefer veggies to flowers, because the whole frailty and quickness a flower comes and goes it's a bit annoying, a vegetable instead engages you for months, and hopefully I will see some results at harvesting time.
That plant in the picture, on the left, it's a rosemary plant, left by the previous owner. I had no idea and we left it out during the winter, and it snowed on it and it was freezing cold. And last month, my aunt was in my backyard and told me "oh, you have a rosemary plant" and I felt so bad for it because I totally thought it was a shrub or something. But the thing made it through ok, and it's still in great shape, I'm amazed.
Anyway, some pictures will come soon. Thanks again,
Elisa