What is the best way to set up a minimal-maintenance vegetable garden?

Hi! I recently bought a run-down crappy foreclosure home that Mr. Laureth and I are fixing up with the intent to live in it someday, probably midsummer 2013 or somewhat later. I don’t have land where we live now, but I want very much to garden and since I have plenty of space at the new place, it seems like the obvious decision to set it up there.

Here’s the trouble. I will only be accessing that property on the weekends, and vegetable gardens typically need more attention than that. I realize the garden will not thrive as much as if I were there giving daily care. However, can you share garden tips (or resources such as books or websites) about how to set the garden up so it is less likely to shrivel up and die or get eaten by deer in my absence?

Data that might be helpful: I don’t particularly want to lean on the neighbors to come water the garden every day; they may be nice but we barely know them on one side, and don’t know the other side at all. Agricultural zone 5b or 6a, depending where you look. There won’t be water access unless we truck it in; the plumbing is not set up, so I already know I’ll have to mulch it deeply. (Luckily we have a very high water table.) Permaculture-related information is especially welcome; can you do that for annuals?

Thanks!