Last year as a first time gardener was probably the most exciting thing ever.  To grow things with my own work was amazing.  The knowledge provided me by the ARCD was excellent, they were able to teach me to grow things.  Mind you I had killed cactus plants before.
This year I want to do more succession growing, though canning and freezing are absolutely great storage options, there is nothing  better than the fresh out of the garden taste.  Additionally, if you plant too much at one time, you may loose some of your crop because of the overwhelming amount of harvest time.
I have truly enjoyed learning about gardening and learning to grow and look forward to more education and knowledge throughout my years as a gardener.  Happy Growing.