I'm new to the whole gardening thing, kal74, but I can tell you the name of a seed catalog that I like a lot: Seeds of Change. Their website is www.seedsofchange.com, and they will send you a catalog if you request it. Also their phone number is 1-888-762-7333. Personally, I like to have the catalog so I can mull it over with the occasional cup of tea. Also, because I keep changing my mind. They are an organic catalog, and are really heavy on the vegetables, fruit, and greens, but they have flowers, too. I am doing flowers, from seed - my first time ever - and the seeds I ordered from SOC came up right away and are doing very well. Some of their seeds are heirloom varieties, which is nice. I think that, being organic, and not a huge firm, their seed packets probably cost a bit more. I confess, I didn't really check it out by comparing them with seed packets in nurseries, because where I live, the only "nurseries" are the huge home & garden places, and I really hate going there - plus, those places never seem to have what I want. Catalog shopping, on the other hand, is just what I love.

I'd like to try container gardening this but I'm new and have questions, I plan to start the seeds indoors and then transplant.

Some seeds, in some areas will grow better plants if started indoors, others will do best being planted outside when the weather is good. I'm assuming I'll need a location that gets atleast 6 hrs of full sun per day for growing?

Almost all fruiting and veggie producing plants do best with full sun, so yes. 6 hours of direct sun or more for best results. Many can do acceptably with less, but best results are with 6 or more hours of full sun. Also a few more questions..
Any suggestions on types of containers?

Not really. I, personally, would not use a container with less than 6" of depth to it for fruits and veggies. I also would not use a small container (less than 12" rim diameter) because a plant grown for produce will produce less if the medium it is growing in is ever allowed to go completely dry. The larger the container, the less frequent the watering interval and the larger margin of safety.

If you will be using automated irrigation such as drip irrigation on a timer then container size is not as important, but if you will be hand watering then it is important the container is large enough and the growing mix water retentive enough to hold ample moisture in between your watering. Where to buy seeds for planting spinach, tomato, squash, strawberries and green beans

Many, many great sources. Your local big box store will have many varieties for less cost than mail order seed houses. Trouble is they don't necessarily have them when you need them and they don't often have 50 varieties of tomato the way a seed catalog will. Seed catalogs I like include Johnnys, Burpee, Pinetree, Stokes, and Territorial. These are all large seed houses, there are many, many more smaller operations I also like. How do I know when to start the seeds indoors and then when to transplant?

This is difficult without local knowledge. I suggest you google on your state name followed by 'extension service' and see what turns up. Every state has an extension service that will offer tips for home gardening in one's area. You may wish to begin your exploration here.

I'll second Pinetree Seeds, have been buying from them for years and they have good seeds,They send smaller amounts of seeds but plenty for a small gardener and they are inexpensive. I love to look at pictures in the early spring and almost wear the catalogs out.

There's a new forum linked at the top of this forum about vendors. look them over and send for catalogs galore.

i like to use 5 gal buckets for veggie containers.
You can get them at school cafaterias and fast food places. I punch holes in bottom for drainage.
vickie