gardening effectively

[wank]

I want to start a garden,...

More importantly, I want to start a garden with edible plants that will output the highest quantity of food(within lets say within a timespan of 2 years), in the smallest amount of space(I have plenty, but that's not the issue).

I live in southern California(92065), on or near the northwest face side of a mountain,... The main issues are that ours is a slightly arid area, our winds can kick up once to twice a month with sustained speeds of up to 40 mph (65 km/h) and gusts of up to 70 mph. temps in the winters can on rare occasions make it to 30F degrees and in the summer as high as 115F degrees,...
The soil is decomposed granite, but that's easily rectifiable...

Does any one have any suggestions?

 

[brainheart]

Sounds like a gardener's nightmare. I live in similar circumstances and that's why I only have native plants. Unfortunately, none of them are edible. Do you have a local extension service? They might have some tips.