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A How-To Geek writer giving half her garden to buckwheat and popcorn for the first time asked Perplexity how to grow, harvest and thresh them, getting step-by-step answers with sources. When crows ate the seed, she had it summarise forum ideas such as shiny objects, fake owls or bird netting.
I'm planning to grow [CROP] for the first time in [YOUR AREA OR CLIMATE], in [BED, POTS OR ALLOTMENT]. Give me step-by-step guidance on when to sow, how to look after it, and how and when to harvest, with sources. I'm also having this problem: [E.G. BIRDS EATING THE SEED]. What do experienced growers suggest?
Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your own details before you send it.
How to try it
- Ask Perplexity a simple question such as how to grow the crop, then open the sources it lists.
- Ask follow-ups as you go: harvesting, storing and any pests that turn up.
- Check timings against your seed packet or a local gardening source, as conditions vary.
More home & family use cases
Draft a wedding seating plan from your guest list with ChatGPT
A bride from Leeds with 72 guests and tricky family dynamics used a planner's method: list each guest's relationship, group, 'vibe' and who they must or mustn't sit beside, upload it to ChatGPT and ask for tables. It took a few reshuffles, but no child sat alone and single friends sat with people they knew.
Here is my guest list with columns for name, relationship to us, group, vibe (e.g. family-friendly or party), must sit next to and can't sit next to: [PASTE OR UPLOAD]. Our tables seat [NUMBER]. Create a seating plan that keeps groups and vibes together where possible, seats children with their parents, keeps the 'can't sit next to' pairs apart and makes the tables as even as you can. List any rules you couldn't meet.
Win back a withheld tenancy deposit with ChatGPT
When her previous landlord refused to return her deposit, one tenant asked ChatGPT to review the denial. It judged the reasons weak and helped her write a response, and she got her full $1,000 back.
My landlord is refusing to return [AMOUNT/PART] of my deposit. Their reasons: [PASTE THEIR MESSAGE]. My evidence: [CHECK-IN REPORT, PHOTOS, DATES]. My tenancy was in [COUNTRY/REGION]. Review their reasons against what landlords can normally deduct for, tell me which points are weak, and draft a firm, polite reply asking for the money back and mentioning the deposit protection or dispute route if they refuse.
Ask Gemini for bedtime stories starring your child’s favourite characters
One dad uses Gemini on his phone to tell PJ Masks bedtime stories to his son. He says it works every time with lots of variations, whereas another assistant gave him a strange, unrelated story.
Tell a calm bedtime story for my [AGE]-year-old starring [FAVOURITE CHARACTERS]. Tonight's theme: [THEME, E.G. HELPING A FRIEND]. Keep it short, kind and not scary, and end with everyone going to sleep.
Reference: How-To Geek