How does your garden grow?

No, seriously how does your garden grow? or, any garden for that matter.

I've been doing months worth of reading about starting a vegetable garden (I think I have a Burpee catalog memorized) and now that I've cleared out the sticks and rubbish from the garden area I feel at a loss of what to do next. I am so saddened that gardening skills are being lost at a rapid rate with my generation and especially with the next (along with sewing, spelling, the art of handwritten letters, board games and anything else that doesn't involve electricity). Maybe the recession (can we just admit that we are in a recession?) will bring some of these lost family traditions and art forms back. And don't even get me started on front porches!

Okay I'm stepping off my soap box...

Here's what I know:
- There was a vegetable garden on "the land" 2 summers ago so, things can actually grow.
- The soil needs tilled. (That's the word right? Oh, I'm admitting how ignorant I am to gardening.)
- There are some weeds that need removed.
- There is a large pile of leaves and grass clippings that have already started to break down into soil. I think we made some compost on accident :)
- We have some neighborhood possums that like to hang out in our yard.
- I have a list of things I want to grow. Bell Peppers and Tomatoes are an absolute must. Secondary are green beans, summer squash, zucchini, and some herbs (sweet basil, spearmint, flat leaf parsley, and cilantro). I was thinking the herbs would be in pots since I have read they spread like crazy. If I had my way I would be able to grow cucumbers, cantaloupe, rhubarb (this is more of a nostalgic thing to grow since I think I'm the only one that would eat it here), and eggplant too. If I had a green thumb oh the possibilities would go much further out. Am I being a little over zealous?

There are lots of things I don't know (far too many to list and so much that I wouldn't even know to ask). So, if you have grown anything other than cherry tomatoes in a pot on your townhouse patio (that's all I've ever grown) then give me your advice!

Here's what I have to offer in exchange for your advice:
I was doing a google search today for "homemade plant markers" and found a very clever and simple idea that I plan on using: http://www.weekendgardener.net/2008/02/home-made-plant-labels.htm

We also need to do a little landscaping especially in the front of the house. I put out the bird feeders yesterday that I got for Christmas and put water in the birdbath so, we are on our way!

Oh, and it's safe to plant here after May 15th which is easy to remember for us because that is Ray's birthday!