Where do I start? - Vegetable garden/

I would like to start a vegetable garden and just have no idea where to start.
Can anyone please give me some advice.

When and for how long do I have to prepare the ground?
How do I prepare the ground?
How soon can I start planting and what is easy to grow?
Are there types of veg that grow better together?

Basically, I am totally new to edible gardening and with shop prices increasing all the time, I would love to get my hands dirty and feed my family from the garden as much as possible and hopefully enjoy better tasting food as well.

I would be really grateful of any help and advice from you seasoned veggie growers out there!

Thanking you all in advance.

 

A noble aim and I wish you all the best.

Not knowing the state of the land you intend to use I can only speak of basics - the land must be sufficiently well drained not to allow standing water after heavy rain; It must not contain any toxic chemicals such as thrown away motor oil etc.; stones walnut size and larger should be removed; organic matter in the form of rotted stable or farmyard manure should be dug in on a regular annual basis to improve soil texture and fertility.
On ground that has been cleared of scrub, grass and weeds vegetable sowing and planting can commence. What crop you begin with depends on the time of year you are ready to start.

Look at 'Gardennotes' 'The making of a vegetable garden' on my website.

http://www.raffia.plus.com

There are also links to 'A vegetable growers calendar' Which you will find useful. I know all this will not answer every question but perhaps it will help.

 

Might sound old fashioned these days..but, use your library. If you don't have access to one, then look at the D.G Hessayon Book (think thats the name of the author, sommat like that). They are in most garden centers. He does books on all sorts, but you will really benefit from getting the vegetable grower...loads of info and really accurate...:thumb:

Have a look HERE

 

Many thanks for your advice.

Have ordered my very own copy of the above book as I have read some very positive reviews about it.

Looking forward to getting stuck in.

Many thanks again.

 

Good for you...his books are really great and I would recommend them to anyone.