I live on a small suburban lot with square foot gardens. Although it is not exactly permaculture, (not Hugelkulture), it does make it so that we don't have to use city water often and instead can use a renewable resource. What do you think?
http://cubicfootgardening.com/rainwater-collection-system
Also, I have seen
Jack Spirko (thesurvivalpodcast.com) use Hugelkulture in his new raised garden beds but I thought it took 1-2 years before the gardens were to be productive. He reports no watering and a productive gardening the first year. Is this normal?