Vegetable garden: Where do I start? When should I start?

If you are just starting - try ready grown plants, not from seed. Pick an area which gets the most sun. But has access to your garden hose. Work you soil up really well. Get some peat moss and a few bags of top soil. You cannot plant until after the last frost in your area.

I also have that problem so go to the garde store and buy some large pots and the actually have patio tomatoes. These are to be grown in pots. Also get peppers, and if you can vine up the side of the railing - cucumber. Plus herbs do great in pots! loo at your village to see if they rent a plot to plant. Mine does.

location and lighting and space need to be given for the proper instructions

Till/break up a 6’ sq plot of the yard which gets at least 6-8 hours (or full day) full sun. Take the top grass and weeds away. Add goodsoil and compost to your plot. Dirt should be soft and not chunky. When your area is having spring, (april is great in southern TN, mark off your garden bed in 1 foot aections and plant 1-2 seeds of your chosen seeds in each sq. Cucumbers, squash, any other runner should be planted separately. Water and mulch with leaves ir whatever. Watch in 7-10 days you should have sprouts. Stake tomatoes and beans

Here are some links for starting both vegetable and flower beds.

https://www.gardensalive.com/product/first-time-veggie-gardenwhere-to-start

https://www.growveg.com/guides/starting-a-new-vegetable-plot/

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-start-a-garden-from-scratch-2132778

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/starting/how-to-build-a-flower-bed-starting-a-flower-bed-from-scratch.htm

https://m.wikihow.com/Start-a-Flower-Garden

If growing tomatoes, I always plant a bunch of marigolds and onions or garlic close by as a natural pest repellant.

Here is how to find your Zone so you know when to plant in your area.

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

The ladies above are all correct, but you haven't really given a good description of what you want to plant and where you live so have a good think about that. The best thing for a new gardener is a raised bed. Buy a book that will help you get a good idea of what you can do. This will give you every advantage of getting a good harvest. Select an area that gets sun most of the day and choose the size bed you want - depending on the plants you want to grow. (You can ALWAYS expand next year!). If you have to choose between more morning or afternoon, go with morning. Make sure you have access to water. Build your raised bed from the ground using just about anything. Please don't use pressure treated wood (chemicals!). Landscape timbers are best. You can even use concrete blocks. 8" or so is high enough. Line your bed with landscaping fabric, then fill it with either ready mixed garden soil or a good mixture of peat, topsoil and compost. Also get several bags of garden mulch (pine or cedar) which you will place around your plantings to help maintain temperature and humidity. Water lightly every day to start. Once they're acclimated, you can let nature water them unless you have a dry spell. Do not water melons or squash on their leaves, they hate that. Have fun and learn a LOT.