How about containers? You can grow most anything in containers if they are large enough. And it is easier and faster to get going than an in-ground bed.

Since it is getting late in your zone to plant some things and since getting a garden bed ready for planting takes time and lots of work, getting up to speed quickly with containers would be of great help to you rather than trying to build a garden bed now.

Containers can be moved as needed to get sun or shade, easier to water, and over-all less work. You might want to check out the Container gardening forum here as well as the Texas Gardening forum for suggestions on when and what to plant in your local zone.

And while container gardening this year, you'll have the time to get an in-ground bed ready for using next year. ;)

Hope this helps.

Dave

Nicamex81, I believe the question you are asking is one which would suggest a very broad response. Because of this, folks may not know where to begin in providing a response. What I've noted from recent postings on your type of question is that the popular posting response to your type of quesiont is to:

1) check out a book or two at the local library that will best help you get started on your style of garden,

2) search the web for a planting guide/information on what, when and how to gop about planting a garden in your particular area of Texas. I'm guessing that there will be a wealth of information available to you . (What you will likely find is that you are too late for some vegetables but right on time for others.)

3) make a phone call to speak with your local County Agent or Cooperative Extension service might also give you needed information to get started.

If or when you have specific questions about issues, concerns, etc. then come back to the forum with a particular post.

As Dave suggests above, container gardening is a fast way to get started. Growing in containers will allow you to move plants into the shade if your region gets very hot this summer.

If you want to get a garden into the ground--but the clay is difficult to work with: you could easily get a small raised bed garden going in just a day or two. Start small with a bed 4 x 4 feet or a couple of raised beds that size. (That will be enough space to grow for your household.) You frame the bed with untreated lumber--similar to builing a bottomless box. A frame 8 to 12 inches high is tall enough. Fill the bed with growing mix or good topsoil. (If you have to buy planting mix at the store this year--Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot will have it rather cheap--you won't have the expense next year; you can use this bed for many years.

You should be able to plant warm-weather crops in your region now--the key is to get your crops growing and harvested before the very hot weather arrives. So rather than start from seed this spring, you could use vegetable starts purchased in six packs or 4 inch containers--you will find them at the same stores listed above. (Again this will be more expensive than starting from seed.)

Choose vegetables that everyone in your house wants to eat and keep track of how quickly things grow. When late summer comes around, you can plant cool-weather crops such as lettuce or cabbage from seed for harvest late in autumn.

Go small the first year as you learn--grow warm-weather fruiting crops like tomatoes and bean when the air temperatures are warm and cool-weather crops like cabbage, lettuce, and root crops when the temperatures are cool-- and by next year you will be an expert. Have fun!

Here is a link that might be useful: HarvestToTable.com

I live in an apartment with a small cement patio. I have a lovely fruit and veggie garden though using containers. I currently have the following growing:

2 tomatoes (early girl)
2 blueberries (misty and sunshine blue)
1 dwarf lemon (eureka)
2 apples on dwarf rootstock (fuji and gravenstein)
1 pickling cucumber
1 sage
1 rosemary
1 Italian parsley
1 Thai hot peppers

Some pieces of advice: spend your money on good-sized containers and potting soil. You'll need bigger containers than you think (plus the size is important for proper water retention) and the success of your garden will depend on the quality of the soil in the pots. Also check out the Container Gardening and Balcony Gardening forums here at Gardenweb for more advice.

Good luck!

P.S. To save more money check local fast food joints and bakeries for free 5-gallon buckets. They're a perfect size for a lot of veggies like tomatoes and peppers.