How Big?  That is, how large a Vegetable Garden do I want?
In 2011 I used the beds that the previous owners constructed.
In 2012 I'll do it my way - build new raised beds.

The first question is "How big should the vegetable garden be?"   Most people start with a 10' x 10' plot.  Everybody I talked to advises me to start small, but for me that is not an option.  Most people are limited by the size of the lot.  With an acre to play with I am not limited.  I certainly don't want the garden so big that working it takes all the joy from it.

Hubby and I mapped out an area for 20 4'x8' raised beds. I mapped out an area 55' x 39' That's 2145 sq ft of growing space.  I read on the net that 400 sq ft was generally enough space to feed a family of four.  So I should have plenty of room to for veggies & fruits (blueberries, strawberries & raspberries).

Not at all sure about this red dirt, but everybody tells be it is fertile.

• Several varieties of Beans.   I could grow both bushes and pole beans types.   In Colorado, I built trellises out of PVC pipe on which the pole bean could climb - guess I'll do that again.
• Several varieties of Cucumbers. We both enjoy cucumber salad and will learn to appreciate pickles.  I too will make trellises of some sort on which the cukes can climb. 
• Several varieties of Peas.  One of the challenges I have with peas in getting them to the kitchen.   I enjoy feasting on them in the garden.   Here they will do well in early spring and in the fall.
• Salad Garden.   I'll grow lettuce, radishes, kohlrabi, etc .   All of these are pretty easy to grow. Radishes, for example, will  mature in only less than a month.   I'll grown the salad garden in containers or under the trellises.   
• Several varieties of Tomatoes.  I'll see which varieties are offered locally.  With tomatoes I'll have many varieties from which to choose.   Some will be early and other late.  Can't forget to plant some Sweet 100's.  They too rarely make it to the kitchen.
• Must have corn.  Because corn is cross pollinated, it is essential to plant in a square and not a single row.  Planting in a square ensures that when the wind blows the ears will be pollinated.
• Establish an Asparagus bed.  I'll have room now to dedicate one of the beds to growing Asparagus.  Can't wait - 2 to 3 years before I can harvest.  It is a long term investment.
• Potatoes.  Can't wait to plant some potatoes - I'm planning red, yukon gold, and russet potatoes. 
• What else?  I'll decide that later.

The seed catalog start arriving shortly after Christmas - What a joy to plan next years garden.

Generally Recommended # Plants Family Per Person