>>464663OP, backyard homegrown hero here.
I'm going to assume that you live somewhere where it gets *cold* in winter which I've no experience with so this is all summer child talk.
>http://www.veryediblegardens.com/iveg/no-dig-gardeningNo dig gardens work for even the most inept and are easy. I like to top off the paper + shit + leaves lasagna with grass clippings from mowing the lawn.
>plantsAs other Anon's have said, start with a few tomato plants. Results are quick and easy in spring/summer.
If you don't want to buy seeds you can just buy a tomato from the store, dry the seeds out on some glass (an empty jar), plant them as it gets warmer and water the shit out of them.
Basil is also a stupidly easy herb you *will* use in your kitchen. You can just snip the "top" off and shove it in the dirt to have two basil plants. (very easy to grow in a pot also).
As for rain catchers: A barrel / a garbage bin / a thousand dollar set up. It all works if you have a downpipe to put a bucket under.
If you have 2-3 inches of grass clippings around your plants you'll be able to water way less often.
