Bare Bones Gardener our expert of the day, writes:

The things that people will try to get you to buy!!!

A book telling you how to grow square watermelons, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes or just about any other fruit…..

If you want to grow one it’s simple, and no it’s not from square seeds.

Buy ‘Grow yor own Square Watermelon’ for $19-95 (US), or simply…..

Get an understanding of how large the fruit of the species will grow, then construct a square open ended frame out of marine 3 ply, {or something weatherproof like that}. Just smaller than the finished ripe size of the fruit. Bevelling the edges of the sides does help hold the finished box together, but is not totally necessary. Strap, screw or nail it into a box shape. ( you could even make a triangle, hexagonal or even octagonal shape).

Then position the frame over the growing fruit, well before it reaches it’s optimum size, and let it grow into and be moulded by the shape of the box. And thats all there is to it.

Michael Straumietis our expert of the day, writes:

When choosing seed plant propagation, every gardener wants to create optimal conditions for their plants to get off to a good start. There is a lot that goes into germination, and if even one factor is missing, it can have profound effects on your entire crop. Here are the factors that most greatly influence how well your seeds will germinate.

Water - Soaking up water is the first step in germination and therefore successful seed plant propagation, so it should be at the forefront of the mind of any hydroponic gardener. The factors that influence water uptake are the amount of water available in the medium and the thickness and density of the seed covering. You can increase water uptake by making sure that you choose a medium that holds water well. Rockwool, for example, is a very popular choice for exactly this reason. You can also treat your seeds in a number of ways to weaken the shell. These techniques can be as simple as using sandpaper to make the shell thinner to as advanced and complex as soaking the seeds in acid until the shells are worn off.

Allan Wilson our expert of the day, writes:

Bell peppers need nutrient rich soil. They do best in well drained soil, and lots of sun. Raised beds are great for bell peppers, with good topsoil, compost, and rotted manure mixed in.

Your bell peppers grow into small bushes, and need lots of air circulation. Give them enough room by spacing them between 12 and 18 inches apart, and in rows at least 24 to 36 inches apart.

Bell peppers need lots of water during germination. You’ll need to keep them moist but not soggy. If they don’t get enough water, they’ll have a bitter taste. You can use mulches to help keep the soil moist.

You’ll know that your bell peppers are ready to harvest when they turn their final color. They can be red, orange, yellow, green, or purple depending on the variety. The more you harvest, the more will grow, so pick them regularly.

Watermelons

Plant your watermelon after the soil is warm and there’s no danger of frost. Watermelons grow best on a sandy soil, and it’s important to plant them on raised mounds.

Eric Wills our expert of the day, writes:

Are you tired and worn out at the end of a hectic day? This has become a common problem today with people becoming increasingly busy with their work schedules. In this mad rush to achieve success the one thing that we have left behind is family bonding. Today it is common to see members of a family heading out to different directions to cool off and relax. Bonding with family is very important and we must not sacrifice that at the cost of being successful professionally. The one thing that can help you connect better with your family is a swimming pool. The advantages of installing a swimming pool are numerous and until you actually have an above ground swimming pool installed in your house you will never be able to enjoy the fun completely. Just make sure that you are getting the swimming pool installed from reputed dealers like Blue World Pools.

Lilia Parker our expert of the day, writes:

There is a stage which comes in our life, when we have to intoduce our child to mathematics. Indeed, it is one of the most difficult tasks. The greatest aids with this challenge are correctly selected books. All of us, parents, educators, teachers, would prefer to have such a books that are presented in an appealing and entertaining format, and invite children to take their first journey around the world of mathematics.

People have studied mathematics since the beginning of time, because without it, they couldn’t grow crops or build houses capable of keeping out the elements. People need maths like they need the air they breathe. In the past, mathematics was the best, MOST IMPORTANT type of knowledge, and was respected and even idolized by most.

Nowadays mathematics includes a great deal of universal knowledge which cannot always be applied to the practical work of a 5-8 year old child.

But children today, just like children from a long time ago, need to understand the role of maths in everyday life, and need to include creative assimilation of the subject in their daily routine.