Gardening Virgin!

So, as some of you may know we've just bought a house and we've got a month till settlement. It's acreage and I really want to be able to do my vegie/herb garden that i've been wanting to do for a while. I think I want to start with herbs just to see how I go. So I have some really stupid questions lol. I've never been able to keep flowers etc and I only found out a few months ago what a bloody work out weeding was! Im just totally not a green thumb and seem to kill everything I touch LOL so..

How do I start for one? What materials do I need? Pots I am assuming? (for the herbs) my other concern, which dp laughs at me for but I seriously don't know is we get alot of possums up here and im wondering if your herbs etc are just out in the open are you going to have things like possums and other things ie; feral cats climbing all over it? or weeing on it? that concerns me. So during the night do you cover the things your growing etc? Any useful information would be awesome!

Well, I don't have possums, though do have the odd rabbit come visiting from the open land accross the way, they do eat the occasional seedling (small flowers bought in punnets) off. Not really sure how you'd go with possums, aren't they more fruit eaters?
If you want to start off small, go for the pots, but get nice large ones, maybe a planter box - I have an old cement laundry tub that makes a great garden bed for herbs, just make sure that you ensure you have good drainage holes in the bottom of what ever you decide on. Then make sure you have a good quality potting mix, perhaps one with water retaining granuals or mix some of these in, especially if you are in a dry area - you will get bitter and woody herbs if you don't water them enough. I don't think you should have an issue with cats - do you have a dog?
As for covering, it will depend on what you grow and if you get frost in your area - ask the nursery person what is frost hardy adn what isn't, they will always be willing to help out.
Also make sure they are in plenty of sun for nice strong growth and you will need to fertliise a couple of times a year.

Lots to learn, but have fun!!