Lisa,

Yes, the food dehydrators are great. I also use a pressure canner to bottle stuff for winter use.

Start those tomatoes now! And peppers! I started my first early batch a month ago, I will start some more this week for mid-season tomatoes. You want then to be 8-10" tall at least before transplanting for the best results, to get the roots buried deep enough.

Basil, and of course now cilantro are my two top items. I cannot makke it through th year without lots of pesto in summer. I could live on pesto I love it so much, nothing but nothing maks me feel so good and gives me so much energy. I use LOTS of basil (or cilantro) in my pesto. I pressure can some for winter use (just in a bit of salted water or olive oil, not nearly as good but it keeps me going. It freezes real well too.

If you want broccoli and cabbage better get them started too. They like some early frosty evenings.