How many plants are the perfect amount to plant.

Last year, I think I had a bout 16 Jalapenos plants, and I eventually had to just let them die off because there was no way I could eat that many Jalapenos.

So this Year I though I would plant the 'Perfect' amount of plants. Unfortunately I did not account for some plants dieing, some not producing as much vege's as I was expecting. So the only suggesting I would give my self is.. plant more is better than less. Last year I felt the garden had gotten out of control, and in fact it did, but this year I feel like I'm just sitting around waiting for more veges to grow. When I do have some veges that are ready to pick, it doesn't seem like any other are ready, so I end up with one sad vegetable that needs a friend.

I planted 4 indeterminate, and 1 determinant tomato For the indeterminate plants, one died, one I broke off what I thought was a sucker and in fact was the only growth on the plant, so it not growing any more, so that leaves me with 2 indeterminate that I am trying to single stem grow, and 1 determinant that I grew from seed because the others I tried to grow from seed died. grrrrr...

I also planted 2 bell peppers, I banana pepper, and 1 egg plant. I ended up planting 4 more bell peppers. It ends up that I"m not a big fan of bell peppers, and I do miss those Jalapenos from last year.

Suggestions for the following year.
Tomatos: maybe a bed of determinantes (4 or 5), and maybe 8 indeterminantes, which means I will need to get another trellis system for the other 4. I just love tomatoes. Oh.. even cherry tomatoes, they are guaranteed to grow, even in this heat.

Peppers: maybe 4 jalapenos, I really got into jalapeno poppers. Banana peppers, even the hot, maybe 2-4 plants.. use for salads or grillen. Maybe only 2 plants of bell peppers, and try others like, chili poblano, etc.

Beans: beans where really poor this year, which is surprising since they did so good last year. But bean are cheap in the grocery store, so maybe ditch these unless I can't find any others the plant. note: the organic seeds I bought did not grow.

Cucumbers: I love these but have yet to grow them consistently. It tends to be to hot, and they turn yellow FAST. I would suggest growing 4 - 8 plants and grow them early so they have time to grow before its hot.

Squash / Zucchini: it takes up a lot of space, but they are good eating. I only have 3 growing, and after the stunting situation, I don't have a single veg. I would recommend 4 - 6 plants. I know they take up a lot of space, but maybe a 2 x 8 foot raised bed could hold 4 of these and til gives enough space.

Strawberries: The farm around here grows great strawberries, so I know they are able to grow here, but I will need to plant the season or fall before.

Corn: I've only heard corn takes up a lot of space and steals all nutrients from the soil.. I think they are also cheap to buy.. so I'd say skip it unless I would just like to try it.

Herbs: I did not have much success growing them from seed in the garden. I would either buy the transplants or grow them inside first then transplant out side, and probably in a bin or something I could move around and not in the actual garden.

TO TRY: Tomatilloes, carrots, onions, garlic, strawberries, blueberries, watermellon, mellon.