A bit of earth

I have always loved growing things, but have usually been restricted to things that can grow indoors in a flower pot.  I did attempt to grow squash in a large container outside at our apartment one year but it was too hot (I only had a southern exposure with no shade) and though the poor plant tried it only yielded up on 4 inch specimen large enough for a single serving (for which my husband was happy, he hates squash) and a 1 inch specimen that was good only for Barbie and her friends, but was rather amusing to show off as the fruits of my labor!  Now I actually have the chance to grow things outside, in the ground!  I feel like Mary from the Secret Garden asking, 'for a bit of earth.'  Winter still has us in its cold clutches for another 6-8 weeks but I will attempt to start some flowers inside to alleviate my spring fever.  The problem is I don't know much about this new climate/soil, it is a very different area from that in which I grew up, but I suppose gardening is all about experimentation (and luck).  I may even try another squash.