Did you ever read John Seymour's books (e.g. New Complete Book of Self Sufficiency)? He has various scenarios for different lot sizes, and how to divide the lot to smaller plots, what plants to have in each plot, and what to plant next year, etc.

If grass grows well, that is good. Let it grow and let sheep eat it, so they poop while they consume it (or fertilize the earth yourself otherwise). After some years of this grass cycle and loading the earth with nutrients, you would plant potatoes. Then pea/beans next year, etc.

After the sequence of plants you go back to grass for many years for that plot.

I don't have my own garden but I read up as much as I can and plant indoors and on the balcony. I also learn to conserve. This way when I do have a chance of getting a garden, I roughly know what to do. Of course, like you say, it is not fast, and won't be a cakewalk.