Ok, I live in Northeast Arkansas. I'm about to buy a new house, close on it end of this month. Deal is, this house is on two acres, so I'm going to start a garden. I've helped when i was a kid with my parents odd garden stuff, but never done one myself. So I'm thinking of starting small this year with some peppers, tomatoes, okra, and my son wanted cantaloupe. I bought some seeds and haven't planted any yet to start the growth in house. Wanted to wait till I get into the new house.

When I start breaking the ground, what do I need to do to start the process. Figure I'm going to go straight in with the seeds unless I can find a place in your current house to start growing them now (though it's crazy here packing and what not.) Do I need to add something while tilling? And once planted what's the best way to keep bugs and disease away from the plants.

A guy at work told me some spice plants next to the crop will help with the insects, is that true?