Sun exposure may be my problem, then.
Some parts of my garden don't get enough sun. I've learned that I can grow bell peppers, green beans and herbs in almost all shade.
If your garden spots get at least 8 hours of sun, even if some of it is partial, it should be enough. If it's bad soil, like we had (ours was too sandy) we put in frames above the ground and had some good top soil delivered.
It's a little bit of an expense to get it started that way, but worth it. Then you just have to work at it and find what you like to grow and what likes your area.
I haven't seen many creatures here for pollinating. Tomatoes and corn are self pollinating with wind or breezes (or you can just give them a gentle shaking). The squash and cuke blossoms seemed to have some kind of tiny fly crawling in and out of them and they pollinated fine too.
Some tomatoes aren't big producers. But you can talk to your local nurseryman for the best types.