growing veg etc - brand new beginner

[GirlWithTheMouseyHair]

we've acquired a garden for the first time ever but (it being California) it comes with a gardner, a fair few fruit trees which is awesome. But I'd love to grow some veg/herbs etc with DS in pots/grobags

where do we start though??? Never had a garden before, managed to just about keep a bay tree alive once though

Just go for it! Look at what vegetables you eat and then see if you can grow them. The RHS website has good advice on veg growing.

Herbs are mostly easy and cheap so stick the ones you use in some soil and see how they do. Which ones do you use in the kitchen?

Potatoes are impressive, especially in big pots as you can just tumble the pot out and there they all are.

Carrots, radishes, lettuce are easy, and you can do lots of different lettuces that you only harvest what you need from and leave the plant growing. Runner or green beans are good up supports and can give a big crop.

What do you use? What would you like to grow?

The best way to learn is a little reading and a lot of practice

Think we're up for that! DS eats beans, peas, carrots and occasionally couchettes.

Is it best to grow from scratch or start with seedlings?

I use any herbs I can get my hands on, but mainly coriander, I guess in this warmer climate basil should do well? Am I best just going to a nursery? You seem to get a lot of different coloured chards, kale, other greens in farmers markets and supermarkets here

Try a mix, get carrots and beans from seeds and buy seedlings of the others, then you get to play with it a bit more. Basil and coriander should do brilliantly but you need to sow a new pot every few weeks if you use a lot of coriander. Basil will love your hot weather and you could look at some of the other Basil's, we have Greek basil which is smaller leaves and more of a bushy shape.

See what your local garden centres are offering in terms of charge and things, they should be offering things for your climate. There may also be local gardening groups you could ask for information too.

Amazing thank you, just had no idea where to start, but at least that means DS and I can learn together

You could grow courgettes in large post/growbags. They are very easy, give you tons of produce, and now is the right time to start from seed. Try a golden type - they are more delicious and harder to buy (here, anyway). With your climate, peppers and aubergines (eggplant) would be fab. They are not hard to grow - treat them more or less like tomatoes, but less water for the peppers.

I agree that you should try some potatoes, if only for the thrill of rummaging around for the 'treasure' when they've grown. They are very easy again, and now is the right time (I wouldn't leave it much later) to get some in. Check a local gardening forum to see what varieties do best in your area. You might also find a seed swap or something that you can get involved with.

Good luck and enjoy your new garden!