really new to veg gardening

Need a little help with some basic guestions about my first veg garden. Any help would be appriciated.
Are there veg seeds that are better than others?
Is there some veg I should not plant on my first time out?
I have heard it is better to use
tomato plants than to use seeds?
Should I be concerned about the PH levels of the soil I am planting in?
Any other suggestions for a first timer?

I don't think there are veg seeds that are better than others, some plants are just harder to grow and germinate from seed.
Tomatoes- Tomato seeds started inside early are great. I think they do much better than the store-bought plants. If you start them early, they will be ready almost the same time. If you haven't already started inside then you might opt for store-bought plants. (I'm not sure of your last frost date, you might still be able to start them inside now.) The seeds will germinate outside, but it will take a lot longer in the season before you get a good harvest. Make sure you cage your tomato plants early. It's a lot harder trying to do it when they are larger. Tomato plants can get 5' or taller, make sure you get tall enough cages or provide other means of support. Easy
Squash- many different varieties. Some are vines and other are bushier type plants. When planting, make sure to give enough room for that variety. They will germinate by seed easily and grow pretty quickly. They are harder to manage, they attract squash bugs. You have to keep up on the bugs or they will destroy your plants. Medium
Cucumbers are a vining plant that germinate and grow easily. You have to harvest the veggies when they are ready or the vine will quit producing. Easy
Carrots and radish germinate easily outside. Sow a little thick, but make sure you thin seedlings to allow for the root development. Easy
Eggplant/hot and green peppers-if you haven't started by seed indoors already, go for store-bought plants. Easy
Lettuce-leafy varieties. germinates outside easily. You have to pick early or otherwise will have a bitter taste. May not make it through the really hot part of summer. Some varieties have really pretty foliage. Medium
Herbs-some are hit and miss seeded outside. If you only want a couple specific herbs, go for store-bought. Seeds-medium Store-easy
Green beans-varieties that don't need support. Germinates and grows easily. Must harvest beans or plant will stop producing. Easy
Watermelons/canteloupe-will germinate easily and vines will grow nicely. Never had much success with the fruit. Hard.
Corn- need to have a lot of room. You need to plant quite a few plants to allow for cross-pollination. Corn really attracts a lot of animals. A lot of people feed it to deer and squirrels to try to keep them out of the garden. But there's nothing better than a fresh ear of sweet corn in summer....Medium.

I've never had a PH test done on my soil. I wouldn't worry about it too much. After more experience gardening, you can add ammendments. (That's a whole other topic) Water your plants thoroughly. It's better to water for longer period of time once a week, then short time everyday. (With the exception of germination) Keep notes of your planting experiences. Have fun with it!

If you are a newbie I'd start with easy and sure to be a success. So start with plants and when you're feeling confident, maybe even next growing season graduate yourself to seeds. Easy plants (in my neck of the wooeds) that will make you feel good are tomatoes, zuchinni, kohlrabi, sugar snaps, and herbs like basil, chives, oregano, dill, etc.

I avoid veggies that are cheap at the grocery, take up lots of room in my veg garden, and require lots of TLC in terms of thinning, spraying, and staking. So for example, I don't grow corn because every road side stand within 5 minutes has cheap, fresh ears and it takes lots of room. I also won't do potatoes because I'm old and I don't want to have to dig them up.

I agree with duck toller. I buy my tomato plants because they are easier than growing them from seed. Starting seeds is a whole other world that, as duck toller said, you might want to reserve for some other year. If you buy tomato plants, be sure to cut off the small lower leaves and bury the stem as much as half way--the plant will form roots all along the stem where it's buried which will make a stronger plant. Things like cucumbers, squash, green beans, and cantaloupes are easier to direct sow in your garden because they grow so fast.

sdant, I planted my first garden last year and can tell you that if you're planting in the ground (rather than in containers), you'll definitely want to have your soil tested. You can get that done through your cooperative extension office or through an independent lab. That way, you'll know exactly what your soil has to offer your plants and what, if anything, you'll need to add. I know that when you come here with questions later in the season (as I did), DGers will ask about your soil test results first. (I think I made ALL the beginner mistakes last year, ha haa!) pH isn't usually a major concern in most areas, but there's so much other important stuff in the soil that you need to know about.

Also, go into your profile and select your USDA hardiness zone so that it displays on your posts. That helps people here help you as well.

Melissa (hi neighbor!) and others covered a lot of the specifics, so the only other thing I'll say is Happy gardening!

indy-v: going through the same thing I am, warm weather during the day but can't get out there and start planting yet. Hope it doesn't stay cool until late in May like it did last year. I have spring fever....
Hope this is not too personal question-what part of town are you from? I live on the southeast side and got really lucky with my dirt. Really nice topsoil about 2 feet down, have to dig really far to hit clay. My mom-not so lucky. She lives on the west side and had nothing but clay, but years of adding ammendments has really helped.

Aah, Beech Grove? I'm in an apartment in Southport!

Congrats on your dirt. My garden this year is going to be in a friend's yard in Irvington. The soil test came back with increbible results. I guess it must be all those old trees dropping all those leaves over the years that made the soil so great. I can't wait to get started! Starting some more seeds indoors today.

Plus I'm involved with a community garden on the east side, just north of Irvington. The dirt isn't great there, but we have 4 acres and lots of enthusiasm. We've brought in several truckloads of various kinds of compost, so hopefully we'll have some decent results this year.

Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates!

Remember to check with your ag. ext. office about the soil temps before planting out....that is one of the most important points to keep in mind. Good you had a soil test done also. Good luck with your veggies, there is nothing better than picking your own home-grown goodies, knowing what is going into them such as no pesticides where possible......let the birdies eat the bad guys when you can.

A little west of Irvington-Pleasant Run. I've seen the community gardens and have thought about volunteering, just never seem to get around to doing it. Thought about volunteering at Garfield Park conservatory in the winter, wish I could have a place like that.