Yep Chick, it's important to know what garden zone you are in. Here in North america the simplest and most commonly used garden zone system is the USDA ZONE MAP. You can google that.
Also, importantly about finding about WHEN to start your garden is to know when you USUAL LAST FROST of winter/spring is in your area. Knowing your zone can give you a wide approximation of that, but other gardeners in your area can give you the best info about that last frost date. A good nursery, even a good down to earth employee at a big box garden center, or the folks at your local feed store, or neighbors and friends. Ask all of them!
For a first time gardener, grow the easy things your first year! Again, ask around to see what your neighbors say is easy. If you are along the coast of Oregon for instance, that may be Peas. (Someone jump in and correct me!) For most places there are some generally easy things to grow.
Quick and early determinate Tomatoes. Bush Early Girl is one.
Bush Snap Beans. Blue Lake Bush is a typical easy to find variety. <<< wait an extra 2 weeks before planting so the soil warms. Most areas there is no rush to get them in early.
Zucchini. Most of the easy to find seed varieties are good.
Peas can safely be planted at most places ABOUT 1 MONTH BEFORE THE LAST FROST DATE. For a beginner though, plant them about 2 weeks before the last frost.
Leaf Lettuce can be planted right around last frost date. Go ahead and do a few seeds a week early.
For your first garden, plant what a gardening friend around you plants. We'll help from here, and your experienced friend can help you from there.
You'll gain confidence and experience. Remember, all gardeners know failure sometimes, and we know problems we have overcome.
Unlike a large acreage farmer, a gardener has lots of different plants growing in a smaller area, and each plant likes different conditions.
There is sooo much more, but for a first garden, keep it simple.
Oh, and plan plan plan! My favorite part is planning my garden. There is kind of a science to it- certain veggies have friends and foes, everything has certain light and nutrient needs, and all veggies have zones they do better in.
