Can you help me start my vegetable or herb garden?

I have never done anything like this, but I would like to start a vegetable or herb garden of some sort. I have prepared the earth (well I have dug out all of the weeds and grass, I am sure I need to do more preparing) but I have no idea what to do now.

What else do I need to do to prepare the earth? What should I grow? What are some hardy plants that will survive even if being nurtured by a novice? How do I protect my garden?

I was interested in growing an organic garden, what is the difference? My Dad says it is pretty much impossible to tell if your garden is truely organic with run off and everything, is it worth trying?