I've never had a garden before. I'd like to grow my own veggies this summer, is this possible? is it hard?

Do you want to garden organically, or with chemical fetilizers, or a mixture? I garden organically except I use a little chemical fertilizer on some potted plants waiting to be planted out, and I use some animal poo compost. Soilman I think gardens with a combination of plant-based composts and some chemical fertilizers.

It isn't hard, but it does take some dedication. I think I will defer to Soilman for a basic overview of how to start.

Last year was my first garden (also a new homeowner here). I grew asparagus, tomatoes, ornametal peppers, potatoes, lettuce, kale, snow peas, radishes, and carrots.

My partner and I dug our garden area, used a digging fork to loosen the ground underneath, and added fertiliser recommended by a soil test.

My first crop of lettuce and radishes did very well. Everything sprouted, pea vines and tomato plants got pretty big. Then my area entered into a drought, I had no good setup for irrigating, and everything pretty much died or just didn't make vegetables.

I think preparing the garden (digging or tilling) is important, doing a soil test is important (you can buy kits at your local hardware or feed store). And, be prepared for things to not go just like you hoped. Every year is a learning experience, and I hope each one will be better than the last (though I've joined a CSA just in case!)

My gardening advice: Have fun and experiment. Seriously!

I second that. Want to garden? Plant stuff. Gardening is, IMO, very unique to the individual and the land involved. The best way to learn is by doing. FWIW, I would do it organically and use non-animal compost for fertilizer. It's way easier than trying to figure out chemicals and compounds and ratios and crap. Oh! And ladybugs are your best friends in the spring. Buy a couple of pints at the nursery and let them loose in your garden. Good luck!