Welcome to beekeeping and to Beesource! Ask lots of questions here. Read your books. Get a mentor. And a terminology note: germination in your garden is all about seed quality, sowing technique, and gentle even watering. Bees will enthusiastically pollinate and increase fruit set.
My $.02 would be to start with all medium boxes; Michael Bush's site has all the good reasons. If you can, start with two hives. It helps a lot to have something to compare to, and you can poach brood or eggs or stores from one to aid the other if needed. But many of us, myself included, started with one package. If you possibly can go to a club meeting or two, you may be able to actually look at some protective gear and doodads like hive tools so you can buy ones you think will work.
If you possibly can, work the bees without gloves the first year. A starting, growing colony is a pleasure to work. Learn to trust your bees and how to move when you're working the colony. You'll be surprised at how infrequently you get stung, and you'll prevent a lifelong dependence on gloves (meaning you'll have them but you'll use them only when you actually need them).
Mostly have fun, listen to your bees, and have a little more fun .
Bees, brews and fun
in Lyons, CO