The part about not doing too much research really resonates with me. There's a lot of bad, vague or conflicting information out there, and plants are to varying extents resilient and adaptable.
That being said, I went with the opposite approach in certain regards. I only planted 2 (additional) crops, and only things I wanted. My state's ag extension has great information about growing strawbs and tomatoes here, which I follow depending on how lazy I'm feeling at any given moment. And I made raised beds because it was trendy I guess? But I don't regret it and it was a fun project.
That being said, I went with the opposite approach in certain regards. I only planted 2 (additional) crops, and only things I wanted. My state's ag extension has great information about growing strawbs and tomatoes here, which I follow depending on how lazy I'm feeling at any given moment. And I made raised beds because it was trendy I guess? But I don't regret it and it was a fun project.