Thanks for all the responses and welcomes. I guess I will be giving it a try before long. I'm not growing to try to "beat the system" or anything. If the crops fail then I will try it differently the next year. At least for the moment gardening edibles just seems like such a wholesome and peaceful recreation. The sight of a banana tree in full production would be incredibly exciting. I can't wait to get started.
Its funny how time, stress, life or whatever it is changes people. I didn't have an iota of interest in gardening 4 years ago. Now its like I've been bitten by the bug.