Hi from Cape Town, South Africa

Just found the forum and have enjoyed a few hours reading already. decided I had better join as one day I might actually have something to add! I have started the long process of starting an urban homestead - so far solar water heating, 5000l (1320Gallons) water tank in , wormery and of course, composting and veg garden. Starting small so using raised beds at the moment but will try permaculture, vertical growing and any other method that works - I have plenty of time to experiment! Although blessed with many things, square meters of land is not one of them. Giving up my small business in 11 months time - and will generate enough money from dividends to survive - will need to make a bit here and the to live haven't quite decided if I am seeing the light or going through a mid life crisis! Kidding, pretty sure it's the former....

Welcome to permies Mark, and apologies for the belated greeting, your post somehow slipped through.

Mark Thomas wrote: haven't quite decided if I am seeing the light or going through a mid life crisis!

Definitely seeing the light
Speaking of which, I imagine South Africa must be an awesome place for solar stuff!
My place is very small, and I've decided it can be a great thing as design-wise it demands ingenuity and discipline.
I also like being familiar with nearly every plant...
What's your rainfall like? I'm very wary of raised beds in arid/sandy/hot climates. Are yours managing ok?
this thread might be helpful for gardening in your climate.

Yeah, it's great for solar - there is too much solar in summer! My solar geyser hit 71c a couple of days ago - and we haven't really started summer yet..

Thanks for the links - will be trying a few different ways of growing including sunken hugelkulture - the biggest problem is going to be to bury them - our ground get's to 'need to hire a jackhammer' hard. Rainfall is decent in winter - around 475mm (18.7 inches) a year - not sure how that compares - but looks similar to southern California.