The first thing you need to know is your climate zone. This will be highly instrumental in helping you determine what to grow and when to plant it. Climate zones were last updated by the USDA in 2012 so if you haven't checked since then, it's good to look into. You can find your climate zone here.
What does your climate zone tell you? First, it will tell you when your average last frost date is, which is the last time the temperatures will dip below freezing before the summer. Second, it will tell you when your average first frost date is, which is the first time the temperature dips below freezing in the fall. When you know both of those numbers, you'll know how long your growing period is.
For instance, I live in Zone 6b, so our average last frost date is around May 1 and our average first frost date is around Oct 15. So we have a growing period of approximately 165 days. Although there are a huge varieties of plants that will grow here, some things like sweet potatoes and okra are difficult and better suited to warmer climates. Other things, like citrus trees, are completely out of the question.
As I'm writing this, it's the end of March and every one wants to know, when can I plant my garden? So, you need to know if it's a cold weather plant or a hot weather plant. Some vegetables, like onions and peas, can go in the ground as soon as the ground thaws. (so get them planted now!). Other plants, like tomatoes and peppers, aren't going to tolerate any frost so they can't be set out till after the last frost date. You can find some general planting times for a variety of vegetables here.
Well, I hope this has cleared some things up for you. A basic understanding of growing conditions is essential to success in gardening. Good luck!
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