Efficient Libertarian Gardening

But first, a bit about myself: 

1. I'm an engineer: I like efficiency
2. I'm politically libertarian: I dislike paying The Man
3. I'm the family historian: I like tradition

The Plan

I started gardening last year, following in the footsteps of grandpa.  Part of it is rooted in my nostalgia for living with him over the summers and playing in his garden (and compost pile).  Today, it occurred to me that working with roots to get in touch with my own wasn't the only driving force.  While planning a conversion to edible landscaping, I realized how much my drive for efficiency was behind this plan.  Timers, composting, tying input-to-output, automating - they all play a role in my decision making.  I'm plotting out a gray water system, rain water harvesting, hydroponics and most importantly  edibility.  

And there's more: Why pay a grocer for what my yard can produce?  It's bad enough I pay property tax, so let's milk it for some food.  It's also bad enough I pay a water bill, so why not double dip and use recycled water for my yard?  Am I being cheap?  Probably.  Am I trying to stick it to the man in a most green and eco-friendly way?  Also probably.  But mostly, I'm exercising the most power I can by using free-market (of ideas) opportunity and home ownership to maximize independence.  In doing so, I hope to posture myself to give away surplus to neighbors and friends.  Apparently, doing this will help other problems, like dependency on oil.   Who knew I'd become such a hippie?

Let it produce produce.

My end goal is to have:

1. A front and back yard that is completely edible (This Pasadenan makes 3 tons of food a year on a 1/10 acre urban plot)
2. Capture all rainwater from my roof and driveway to use for irrigation
3. Recycle all gray water from my house for irrigation
4. Indoor produce for winter eatin'
5. Gopher mesh around both yards (I effing hate gophers)

In the vein of home improvement, sustainability, and cheapskatedness, I also plan to

1. Install solar/wind power generation
2. Automate home lighting (motion sensors inside)
3. Automate hom cooling
1. Auto-open/close windows
2. Turn on/ whole house fan and A/C
3. Remote control thermostat
4. Re-roof for maximal attic cooling.