If you have begonia tubers, NOT seed, keep them in household temperatures not touching each other, well ventilated until you notice buds form on the concave side of the tuber. Plant the tuber concave side up barely covered with a potting mix with lots of ground bark, just damp. If kept too wet tuber will rot, not grow. when surface of soil starts looking dry add water carefully to not over do it. You should not have to water the first time before the stem has grown and produced the first leaf.A heating mat is not needed if pots are in the house. Al

Until you mentioned it, I too have never heard or read anything on technique or proper tilling procedures. I suppose it is one of those 'just get on and ride', activities. I have a small city lot garden and use a Mantis tiller and , like you, go back and forth and zig-zag. I go over it quickly, just to bread up the surface and then spread the fertilizer, then go over it more thouroughly, letting the machine get as deep as it can by pulling it back after it has gone forward a bit. When I am done the soil is like powder, but the plants love it. It seems to compact more than a more coarse soil and I suppose I should till in some more organic material from time to time. In the fall, after cleaning out the garden, I till it again and then plant my garlic for the next year. I guess 'maybe' that the finer soil will not let as much oxygen down to the roots after it compacts on the surface, ???? Also water absorbtion is not as good because a heavy rain will run right over the crust of the soil if there is any grade whatsoever. I suppose this discussion should be on one of the garden forums, but.... Just my thoughts.

Pardon and thank you for the additional cyber space. While at the BBC site please have a look at the other articles posted. Regarding the mercury link, there are more than 140 confirmed symptoms of mercury poisoning including; memory dysfunction, neurological dysfuntion, digestive dysfunction, and the list goes on and on. There is only one metal substance more toxic than mercury which is uranium. If you consider that our own government is playing politics on this issue makes you wonder if the Whitehouse shouldn't be investigated by the Office of Homeland Security. Would've had said the government Ethics committee, but currently that doesn't exist.

AuntJen, I agree that differing opinions can definitely work in a marriage, but it depends on what those differences are. Politics is one thing I could see people having lovely discussions regarding their differences. Religion too - to some degree. Money - way differing opinions on this one I see a major issue in a marriage. If one person is a crazy spender, and the other not - even having separate accounts can't bridge this over the years. I also think if you don't have kids, you are much more accommodating of others individual preferences, beliefs etc. But once you throw in a few kids, things change. Religion is a biggie especially between Jews and Christians. There's some real fundamental differences here - how do you raise your children to appreciate both religions? I would find this very confusing to children - you have to pick one at the primary and then perhaps expose them to the other religion and allow them to choose when they're older. I too believe marriage is much more than just sex and having a good time with someone. If you don't have some core values shared between you, it makes what is already a difficult partnership over time even harder. Add a few children and all of a sudden life is alot more difficult and you start to wonder - what did I see in this guy?