@Marisa Cass

You'll want to give a general location so the folks who comment have some idea of what plants will thrive in your area. Usually, the nearest metro area is sufficient. PA is a fairly large state with a variety of climates.

Thanks! I live in Chambersburg, PA

It would help to see the area for planting. I enjoy seeding in the ground. In cold areas seeds need to be started indoors.

If you look online you can find a list of annuals that grow easily from seed.

If you can start indoors you can do it now.

Most annuals need a good amount of sun so you need to plant in the right area.

Coleus is a good annual for shade.

loaded question. look for safe frost dates for your area. everything is dependent on those frost dates for your area/ also known as zones. look into that

Your gardening zone is 6b. Average last frost date is April 21 - 30.

Start by drooling over flowers and vegetables in seed catalogs and order $150 worth of seeds, even though you only have room for $15 worth. Save the seed balance that you have no room for, for next year. Haha ... that's how I do it.

Seriously, it sounds like you're planting near the house -- in the foundation planting area -- that you're primarily interested in flowers and possibly some herbs nearest the kitchen. Since you'll have no compost available, you can use peat moss, incorporated into the soil, in order to lighten it and improve its water holding capability. Use a spading fork to turn the peat into the soil. At the same time, Sprinkle 10-10-10 (or similar) fertilizer over the same area so it gets mixed in with the soil, too, to a depth of about 7" or so. After danger of frost is past, sow seeds or set out plants from the garden center.

Search YouTube for videos about how to do this or that in the garden, for more details.

Gardening is a learning process. One year's failures are a future year's successes. Try to grow easy things in the beginning ... marigolds, zinnias, and herbs (basil) for sun; begonias & impatiens for shade (though I don't think you'll want to start those latter two from seed ... buy as bedding plants from the nursery stores.)

Pictures would be great. Soil is paramount since nothing will grow well in poor soil. Dig a shovel into an area where you want to plant and see what you find. If it is hard packed and difficult to dig, ask your local garden center which soil ammendments they recommend and dig them in. Then plant.

Read, read, read and accept that the first year is possibly a lost year-notice where & when the sun & moisture is before dropping big bucks on the wrong plant in the wrong place for it. NO it's not easy! (I just moved into this house a few years ago & not knowing what would be sun or shade, soil test results, etc drove me nuts that first year but it paid off in year 2!) Consider containers-you can move them from the area that looked great until the trees all leafed out. I still do a lot of my 'maters in big planters. If you are planning to plant mostly in the ground I'd suggest a soil test-you can get one from the county extension for under $10. It's really easy to do & can save you loads from buying the wrong stuff to amend your soil. I echo the LOCAL garden center thing. These folks know your local climate so they can suggest the best for your area and can become local friends. Congrats on your new home-play with plants-placement, color and purpose. It's a great run...welcome to the addiction!