Poor growth in veggie garden?

I am in NJ, Zone 7 and my veggie garden has done very poorly this year. This is the second season I have planted in a small bed. Last year I planted seeds and got through the entire season. This year just a few pitiful tomatoes. I also planted eggplant, melons and also beets and peppers. I used very little fertilizer and water this year. But what should I have done to get better growth. How does the farmers keep producing great stuff regardless of the season. I know this year we had tremendous amount of rainfall. Please be specific. Is there any good fertilizer (natural) I could use.