My garden last year was so interlaced with pest control and plant control that I had to make like a tai chi master to pick a cucumber. It was absurd. This year I started with a fence that has, so far, kept out ground hogs, deer, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks. I'll do that every year from now on. First, amend the soil, then, a really good fence. Once I put the plants in, I have no idea what's going to happen from that point on. Hit and Miss as @plantstoplanks calls it. But I learn a lot, and I eat very well. Can't complain!