Dawn!
As you can tell, you've found the right place for all of your questions. Someone here is bound to have answers for you, no matter what the question.
@dyzzypyxxy is right, get the fence stained/sealed before you plant anything in front of it. Make sure to do both sides.
As you've heard, you have a number of options for the wet areas. If, during your digging to shore up the ground, water started to pool, you might even be able to put in some sort of water feature to attract frogs and toads. There are all kind of plants that like having their feet wet.
Bulbs really are your best bet to plant this fall. It will give you some sense of having a garden, especially when they're all in bloom in the spring. In the mean time, watch how your new yard interacts with the surroundings. Take note of how the fence casts shadows. In the winter, see where the snow piles up really deep and check for icey spots. When it rains, does the water collect in one place more than another? Watch how the wind flow is affected by the fence.
As winter turns into spring, you'll have a pretty good idea of the various climate zones in your yard. Armed with that information, you can more effectively plan what you want where. For instance, you don't want to put a grilling area where the water accumulates after a rain. Likewise, if the fence creates a shaded area for most of the day, you'll want plants that are more shaded tolerant than full sun.
You may be new to gardening, but just remember... everyone that you meet and talk to here started out the same way, from scratch. (Pun intended.) Before you know it, your neighbors are going to be coming to you asking for advice.
In the end, it's all about creating a space that it your personal piece of paradise. Sometimes it can be a lot of work. But when you sit down in that comfy lounge chair with a tall, cold ? and look out, you be thinking 'Damn! I'm good! Look at what I did.)
