without the need for commercial, energy-intensive fertilizers. Modern hydroponic farming produces very high yields in greenhouses without using any soil. Marketing Several economic models exist for vegetable farms: A relatively small operation is a market garden while a larger farm may grow large quantities of few vegetables and sell them in bulk to major markets or middlemen, which requires large growing operations. A farm may produce for local customers, which requires a larger distribution effort. A farm may produce a variety of vegetables for sale through an on-Farm Stalls, a local farmer's markets, or a u-pick operation. Such operations differ from commodity farm products like wheat and maize which are less perishable and are sold in bulk to the a local granary. Large cities often have a central produce market which handles vegetables in a commodity-like manner, and manages distribution to most supermarkets and restaurants. In America, vegetable farms are in some regions known as truck farms; "truck" is a noun for which its more common meaning overshadows its historically separate use as a term for "vegetables grown for market". Such farms are sometimes called muck farms, after the dark black soil in which vegetables grow well. Common vegetable crops Vegetables which are farmed include: Fabaceae (pea family): peas, beans, lentils Solanaceae (nightshade family): tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, potatoes Brassicaceae (mustard family): cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli Allium family: onions, garlic, leek, shallot, chives Carrots (Apiaceae) Lettuce (Asteraceae) Cucurbit family of plants, including melon, cantaloupe, cucumber, calabash, squash, and pumpkin Sweet corn See also Agroecology Aquaponics Gardening Milorganite Vegetable garden Self sufficiency References Agronomy Horticulture