Ten Tips for Grow Your Own Beginners http://www.realmensow.co.uk/?p=324 is worth a read

1. Don’t throw anything away
2. Nurture what you inherit
3. Don’t plan
4. Plant easy to manage stuff
5. Grow tomatoes and strawberries (though watch out for tomamot blight here in Cornwall)
6. Grow veg that’s expensive to buy
7. Talk to the old boys
8. Join a web forum
9. Grow veg you like
10. Start a blog and take lots of photos!