Enough mulch to smother the grass, cool the soil and conserve moisture will be a limiting factor for those without enough tree leaves, for their suburban lawns. We mow and gather as much mulch as we can before the dandelions go to seed each spring. And rake and compost leaves in the fall.

We started with Bartholemew's 'Square-Foot' gardening and Nancy Bubel's Seed-Starters Handbook. This will be our 9th season growing most of our food, save for spices, condiments and grains. We have a farm, with enough acreage (though worn out, where we haven't been vegie gardening) to grow all the grains we would need to supplement our beans and vegies. But hand seeding, cultivating and harvesting of wheat and barley is emotionally daunting so far.

We have chickens, but have yet to implement the chicken tractor method, still depending on purchased organic grain to supplement the forage and vegies.

Good luck with your back yard. I recommend Pine Tree seeds for small packets and extensive books at discount (maybe even worth your ordering @ $2-3); Johnnyseeds.com for the best catalogue, which includes 'how-to' for each vegie, and excellent hand tools.