here is the answer for question 2

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html
Good luck

And here is the answer for question 1 ...
This website you can just plug in your frost date and it will tell you when you need to plant ...
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/grow/. Click on "The Lazy Gardener's Seed Starting Chart".

Just saw a video review of a new book that helps simplify gardening for first timers, called Starter Vegetable Gardens, by Barbara Pleasant, who writes for Mother Earth News. It seemed to answer lots of questions. The book is on Amazon, video too.

As a new vegetable gardener myself, I found "The Vegetable Gardener's Bible" by Edward C. Smith to be helpful in finding basic info on the needs of most vegetables.

Liisa

Here is a link that might be useful: Liisa's Garden Journey