My green thumb might not be so green

This is the first year I caved in and planted a vegetable garden.  I bought a seedling starter pack with soil pellets, and tons of seeds.  After one week I had so many starters I actually gave some away and had huge hopes of Ratatouille for dinner every night. 

I do blame most of my gardens problems with the extreme heat we have had this summer, but I'm sure that if I would have planted sooner it might have helped.  Green beans are on the left with squash in the middle and peas on the right, with tomatos mixed in.  Also had another planter with onions, carrots and more squash. 

Three months later only a handful of green beans and peas, about 10 squash (a few lost to animals), 1 tomato that had a huge animal bite taken out before it was even red, 3 pinky (yes that small) sized carrots and the onions died before they were fully grown.

Even with all of the trouble this year I still want to try again, although this time I won't plant to many squash, they completely took over everything! The squash is now getting run out by a pumpkin plant that grew from a rotten pumpkin I was too lazy to pick up.  lol

What are your favorite things to grow?  Any tips for a better garden for next year?