**FOR USE WITH AP LIFESTYLES** A tomato is picked from it’s vine in a garden in New Market, Va., Saturday, July 19, 2008. Harvesting fruits and vegetables at the peak of their maturity is the goal of most home gardeners but not all varieties make for easy picking. They’re difficult to gauge for ripeness. The […]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Floridians would be able to grow fruit and vegetables in their front yards without fear of local government fines under a bill going to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The House passed the bill 93-16 on Wednesday, nearly six weeks after the Senate passed it 35-5.

The legislation was inspired by a court battle after Miami Shores told a homeowner to dig up a vegetable garden or face a $50 a day fine. An appeals court upheld the ordinance.

Supporters said government shouldn’t interfere with the property rights of people who want to grow their own food. Opponents said the state shouldn’t interfere with local governments.