Visit your local nursery and talk to them about what you need to know for your particular climate zone. They might even offer classes or workshops for beginner gardeners. Also, start picking up local newspapers as they often have a gardening section that might prove useful.

You need to know what needs to be done for each season. What needs mulching feeding, weeding, replanting, pruning and cutting. Unless the previous owner was retired with a green thumb and or didn't mind slaving every Saturday and Sunday you might want to consider a weekly gardener. They will take care of all the above including setting your sprinkler system if you have one. Next time you see a landscape maintenance truck in your neighborhood go over and ask them to give you a free estimate.

Thank you for your feedback! I am hoping to grow a "greenthumb" Yesterday, it was about 70 degree and I caught a neighbor spreading seed on his lawn. It inspired me to pay a visit to Menards - where I learned a lot about what's needed this time of yr, by reading labels. When I looked at photos of the garden from last year, I noticed the previous owner had quite a few pots, in the garden that was a bit of a "fake-out"

I have attached a photo of the small garden-like area in the front yard. Thoughts?