Q: Identify the 2 tallest seedlings from each grouping to keep. Snip the other seedlings down to the surface of the soil. Do not yank the other seedlings out, since doing so will disturb the soil and may cause damage to the seedlings you're leaving in the ground. Use garden shears or scissors to snip the extra seedlings off at the soil. Examine the plants in each group, and look for the tallest one. It should also have the most leaves and look the healthiest. Snip the other one down to the soil. Now you should have 1 plant growing in each grouping you've made in the pot. In some cases, that may mean you have just a single plant, if you used a small container. If the surface of the soil seems dry, it's time for re-watering. Give mature plants enough water so that a little extra drains out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Never allow the soil to dry out, since dry soil will inhibit growth and lead to a bitter crop.  To check the soil, stick your finger in it. If it's dry, it's time to water. Lift the pot up to see how heavy it is. The heavier the pot, the more saturated the soil is with water. Check the pot throughout the day to get a feeling for how heavy or light the pot gets when you water. Adding mulch around your plant will help it retain more water. If your area is especially dry or hot, you may need to water twice a day. Drench the soil first before adding the fertilizer. Adding the fertilizer when the plants are dry may create problems. Use a water-soluble fertilizer, and apply as much as the label directs you to use. Fertilizers vary widely by brand and type, so always read the label. Pick a 5-10-5 or 14-14-14 fertilizer. Aphids, pickle worms, mites, and cucumber beetles will all target your cucumber plant. You can make your own organic pesticide with neem oil:  To make a spray with neem oil, mix 1 to 1.5 cups (240 to 350 mL) of water with a few drops of dishwashing soap and about 10-20 drops of neem oil.  With pests like cucumber beetles, you can simply pick them off by hand using gloves covered in petroleum jelly. Drop them into a bucket of water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. You can also use a bug vacuum designed for the purpose of sucking insects off plants. Mildew and bacterial wilt are especially common. Many anti-fungal products will rid your plants of mildew, but bacterial diseases are more difficult to get rid of. In fact, if your plants develop bacterial wilt, which can be carried by cucumber beetles, the plants will likely die. Fungal infections are often characterized by a white, powdery substance on the leaves.  Bacterial wilt starts with the leaves turning dull, wilting in the day, and recovering at night. Eventually, the leaves will turn yellow and die. To make an anti-mildew spray, try mixing 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of baking soda into 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Add a dash of dishwashing liquid, and shake it up. Spray it on the plant once a week if you notice a white, powdery mildew on the leaves. Bigger cucumbers are more bitter, so harvest cucumbers when they're young. Snip the stem about 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) above the cucumber. If the cucumber has reached the yellowing stage, it's probably too mature to eat. Most cucumbers are ready to harvest 55 to 70 days after planting.
A: Thin your cucumbers out once the seedlings sprout 2 sets of true leaves. Thin to 1 plant per hole once the plants reach 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm). Water your cucumbers daily. Add a balanced fertilizer once a week. Eliminate garden pests with neem oil or other organic pesticides. Use an anti-mildew spray on fungal diseases. Harvest your cucumbers about 55 days after planting.

Q: When she’s not performing or on the red carpet, Selena often wears classic Americana looks like black jeans with a white shirt and grey sweater. When you wear a lot of neutral colors, you can add a statement piece to make them pop. For example, you could add a statement necklace or a pair of shoes in a fun color to your classic outfit to make it stand out.  Choose a dramatic jacket or shoes to go with your classic outfit. For example, Selena once topped jeans and a white t-shirt with a floral jacket.  Mix it up day-to-day. For example, keep your look neutral Monday through Thursday, then add playful, quirky pieces on Friday through Sunday. Selena often adds a little vintage flair to her outfits, making her classic staples a bit more fun. Try a vintage jacket, skirt, or retro eyeglasses. Don’t be afraid to mix decades, as that’s how you keep your look fresh.  Try a contemporary sweater with vintage-style bell bottoms. Wear a 40’s style skirt with a fun polka dot t-shirt. Look for a vintage leather jacket to give your classic, everyday outfits a bit of edge. Choose vintage frames for your eyeglasses. Pick up a pair of vintage sunnies for your weekend days around town. Selena plays around with her style and isn’t afraid to wear something that is a bit crazy or fun. Take chances with your style by wearing a silly print on your sweater, adding a chunky homemade necklace, or decorating the back of your jacket. If you see something you like, incorporate it into your wardrobe without worrying what people will think. Wear it with confidence, and you will look great! Whether it’s dinner or a school dance, go full-on glam like you’re on the red carpet with Selena. Her red carpet looks capture a classic Hollywood starlet vibe. Look for a dress that fits your body well and has a fun shape without being too revealing. Selena loves to wear pink, but you should choose the color that makes you feel your best. For example, choose a dress that has a ruffled bottom or a unique collar. You could also choose a dress that is cocktail length in the front but has a floor-length train on the back.
A: Try a classic day look with neutral colors. Play around with vintage pieces. Add a bit of fun to your look with wacky prints and fun colors. Go all-out dressy when you’re going out on the town.

Q: A freshly opened canned beverage will provide the most carbonation. To burp loudly you will want to drink the beverage as fast as possible. Choose something that you like, so you’ll want to drink fast. Be careful that it’s not too sweet, or it may upset your stomach.  Pick a drink that is cold but not so cold that it hurts to drink quickly. Avoid drinks that have gone flat and have been open for a long time. The more carbonation you are able to take in, the larger the burp you can release will be. Take large back to back gulps of the drink, and try to finish it in one attempt.  You don’t need to take large mouthfuls, smaller sips will introduce more air as you swallow. Resist the urge to let out small burps as you drink. Make sure that all of the beverage is at the bottom of your stomach and the gas bubbles have had a chance to rise. Make a straight pathway from your stomach to your mouth by extending your shoulders upward and stretching your back. You want to allow the gas travel as smoothly as possible from your stomach out in order to produce the loudest burp. Let the accumulated gas go all at once. The sound of your burp will reflect the amount of air you are releasing from your stomach.  Open your mouth. Squeeze your stomach muscles similar to the feeling of vomiting. Let the air escape your stomach. Amplify your burp by pushing more air out faster. Use your abdominal and stomach muscles to squeeze your stomach to push out a larger volume of air.
A:
Choose a carbonated beverage. Drink the beverage as fast as you can. Wait for 3 seconds to let the drink settle. Stand up or sit up straight. Release the burp. Squeeze your abdominal muscles as you burp.