Grow Your Gardens!

I read an article on CNN today (http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/ wayoflife/06/26/growing.xtra.ap/index.html) about growing gardens in your yards to help out food banks with their shortages. I've been thinking about growing a garden anyway, as part of the homeschooling the kids. This will be a nice thing to do with the fruits and veggies!

I guess I'll have to read up starting a garden! Any ideas? Should I buy plants or seeds? Is it too late in the season? Texas stays warm through December, so I should be fine to plant now, I think.

The only problem I may have is my aversion to dirt. I think plants need the stuff to grow.