Beginner Gardening: I need your opinion in Studio City, 1 by Kinewah

Kinewah wrote:
I live in Studio City, SF Valley and I am new to gardening in California.I am from Canada and have had fabulous gardens there but this is a whole new world. I am lost and overwhelmed by the challenge of gardening here. I am even having difficulty buying potting soil as it looks so different, more like peat than soil. I am trying to fix up back yard and plant 6 containers measuring 24" tall by 14" across at the top. Three are on pool edge and get lots of full sun, three are closer to house and get a bit more shade than sun. I have completely emptied and cleaned the containers so I can start from scratch. I would greatly appreciate and thank you for any advice you can offer.