Use a sturdy tripod, it helps to a certain extent. Unlike action photography, one generally has more time to compose or wait for good lighting so using a tripod shouldn't be too much of a problem. The use of hyperfocal distance technique also helps, as you've described, though some of the AF lenses tend to have fewer DOF markers than older MF lenses. But the DOF may be calculated if you have the appropriate tables.
You might like to consider using medium format too. I personally find that medium format is quite suited for landscapes because setting up a shot takes longer time than 35mm and in doing it I have more time to think about how I want the scenery to look and other factors too. You could try getting a used Rolleicord or Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera, these generally should cost less than $600. Could even try a made-in-China Seagull TLR that goes for $200+ or less new.
andrew