Gardening mamas.

I would go to a local bookstore and ask if there is a great regional growing guide (we have a fabulous one out here) and get it. Or get a book like "gardening in hard times" by steve soloman. Or maybe it's gardening when it counts something something hard times. It is clear and informative, but has more info to read as you learn.
Seeds rock and are cheaper, but you can plant starts (I usually pay less for a packet of 25-300 seeds, depending on the plant, than I would for one start of the same plant). You get enough sun and heat to plant most things.
I like to plant a broad variety, but I have friends who just plant lots of their favorites, and it all works. Every year I try to plant something new that sounds interesting. But mostly gardening is learned by gardening. Try things, fail, succeed, eat. If I were starting all over i would plant salad greens and peas , beets, chard, tomatoes, squash and potatoes and some herbs. And start there, because I like all of them and the only slightly difficult one is tomatoes, and where you are they should be easy. All things i like to eat, not too much variety.
I am so excited about gardening this year. We also have chickens and they'll be laying in a few months, so that's fun also.
There are a million ways to garden, they contradict each other. Pick the one that makes sense for you based on your space, time and money and just try it. You can always do something else at some other time, and no matter what something edible should grow.

you can plant in the beginning of May, but you will have to keep an eye on freezing temps. You can cover plants to prevent frost damage for May and then you are free and clear.

If you are growing your own seedlings, you want them ready for the first of May. Check the grow times on the label. You can start lettuce/spinach indoors, or just sow into the ground, it likes cooler temperatures. Stagger planting/starting so that you have veggies that mature at different times.

Good luck!