Raw milk vending machines in France

In Florida, you have to pretend you are an animal if you want raw milk.

Hydroponics for Brevard farmer's markets

It's good to start small, said Theresa Riley, owner, with husband Kevin, of Rockledge Gardens, the largest plant nursery and garden center in Brevard County.

Theresa Riley, owner of Rockledge Gardens

She should know. Riley is the daughter of Rockledge Gardens founders Mary and Harry Witte, and one of six children who have run the family business since 1960 at the location on U.S. Highway 1, three miles south of S.R. 520. Her father Harry started out in 1948 with a road-side vegetable stand near St. Augustine run on the honor system, and now Riley is bringing the family business into the future with hydroponics.

'Our goal is to produce enough fresh vegetables to stock a farm market here at Rockledge Gardens,' Riley notes on her website. 'We will use natural methods for growing this food, with no harmful pesticides or chemicals. It's a very clean and efficient method of farming.'

Riley offered advice to backyard gardeners during a recent interview at Rockledge Gardens' new hydroponic facility adjacent to the nursery.

'Florida soil, particularly in Brevard County tends to be poor,' Riley said, 'It needs amendments -- organic matter -- to improve it.' As a backyard gardener, 'You don't want to get overwhelmed, you don't want to get discouraged.' Homeowners do not need to plant long rows of crops, said Riley. 'It is better to start with a raised bed garden, where you have full control' over the soil and fertilizer.

More information:

Rockledge Gardens:
http://www.rockledgegardens.com/

On Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rockledge-Gardens/138636936167730