Do you actually use these?
Advanced Spanish speakers, how many times since intro Spanish have you found yourself using the basics that Spanish 1 drilled into you?
Watermellons, strawberries, the color teal? I never use them in English, I can't imagine using them that often in Spanish ....
23 Answers
All I can say is, you need to eat more fruit!
And incase any one is wondering, that is not me front and centre!
Teal maybe not so much, but strawberries? ¡Claro que sí!
Not only the fruit, but also pies, milkshakes, sundaes, and various candies. Soda pop. Lip balm.
And watermelon maybe not so much, but still a lot.
If you only talk to people about things you already know about, then only learning the words you want works fine. Of course, one then has to wonder why you bother to talk to people at all. . .
I do feel that the bigger your vocabulary the better reader you become and that leads to reading great works of literature (in a given culture). This leads to learning about the language and the different aspects of that culture as well. So I would say learn whatever you can and everything else will fall into place. 
You will start bad habits if you only learn vocabulary of your choice. If you are real serious, you get excited to learn new words regardless of what they are. So learn all you can, this will set you apart from the amateur.
Strawberries and watermelon, you betcha! Teal is not my favorite color, but I haven't learned that word. I daresay that I can't think of any word that isn't worth learning, except for the vulgar words, which I don't have any use for.
How do you buy watermelons and strawberries if you don't use the words?
I can't say I've used every word I've ever learned, but I know I spend the vast majority of my learning time now trying to build my vocabulary. Strawberry and watermelon are pretty standard words. I can't imagine how you could get around without knowing them.
I do feel that the bigger your vocabulary the better reader you become and that leads to reading great works of literature (in a given culture). This leads to learning about the language and the different aspects of that culture as well. So I would say learn whatever you can and everything else will fall into place.
True! I do end up using more words in reading. I railed against having to learn country names in Spanish, but it's come in handy now when reading BBC Mundo. 
The best way to learn and remember new vocabulary in Spanish or any other langauge is to apply it in day to day situations.
However, having said that, I normally take a small Spanish Dictionary with me, when I go out visiting places in Spain,whilst on holiday as I am unlikley to remember everything.
I prefer to learn and memorise verbs in advance since when you are engaged in conversation wih someone, whether a tshopkeeper or a member of the public, you will not have time to look up verbs on the spot so it is better to have already learnt the high frequency verbs like hacer, ir, estar, ser (and others) as well as you can.
However you could ask, ¿Qué es? (What is it?) or ¿Cómo se dice, en español, por favor ? (How do you say it?) and point to the product you wish to buy if you forget an individual word or look one up in your bilingual dictionary before you start talking or if you have a few minutes.
If you want to save time and avoid upsetting other customers behind you in a queue it will be worth your while learning as much new vocabulary as possible so that you can say what you want as clearly and fluently as possible
I hope this helps
There is a period when learning sentence structure that I could look at the words like variables.The variables being the parts of speech.ANy word is fair game while learning the formula.
peaches, pencil cases, and swimming now,
Peaches not so much...however, I must be using the word swimming tons of times a day and pencil case...my five year olds know that word! 
Oh, and they also know peach and swim
I just feel like I need to go out and have lots of conversations about peaches, pencil cases, and swimming now, to make use of my vocab.
I'm with Rommpim here. What is that question supposed to mean? If I go to the supermarket, and want to buy strawberries or watermelon, or kiwis or star fruit for that matter, I'd better know what they're called. I don't see what you've got abot those words in particular, but yes, they get used as much as any other word.
... I have literally no idea what either of you are talking about. :(
My dictionaries have lots of words I never use.
