Sam Schipani

Some studies show that single-use plastic bags are more environmentally-frie­ndly than reusable bags when considering the impact of production, use and disposal. Critics of the studies say that such life cycle analyses fail to take into…
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Photo by Pjotrek on Morguefile. Kitchen sponges are dirtier than you think. The warm water and swirling food remnants in your kitchen sink make it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, and porous sponges make a cozy home for microbial…
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Composite image by Sam Schipani Mothers do so much for their children — from making sure they eat well to keeping them safe. Mother's Day is a time to honor and celebrate all that they do. For homesteading mothers, though, cut…
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Since “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” was added to Netflix’s queue, second-hand stores nationwide have reported an uptick in donations. And that means that Marie Kondo-mania has left thrift stores flooded with fantastic thrift…
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Newspapers stacking up? Here's how to upcycle newspapers, giving them really useful second lives. Photo by Sam Schipani If you are a daily print reader, you may have accumulated a fair number of old newspaper that have been sitting…
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Photo by Kai Pilger from Pexels We all have that t-shirt that we have loved a little too much. That shirt from your first country fair or your high school musical may have pit stains and holes that make it unwearable, but it still has…
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Food waste is a problem of an epidemic, especially -- perhaps contradictorily -- among health-conscious consumers. But by freezing foods, you can stretch how long foods will last. A 2018 study showed that between 2007 and 2014, the…
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As an experienced home cook, I can’t help but play favorites when it comes to ingredients, and in my kitchen, scallions are frequently the star of the show. When I learned you can regrow scallions, I had to try it. Scallions, or green…
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Photo by Sam Schipani There are many advantages to starting seeds indoors including the control it gives you over the types and varieties of crops you grow. It also allows you to control the means by which the plants are produced. But…
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When it comes to bringing new life to your garden, print is certainly not dead. In fact, if you are growing seedlings indoors, newspaper pots are an easy, low-cost way to start your plants for the spring gardening season. Newsprint…
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Photo by Gabor Degre Soil is the foundation of your garden. Knowing what makes up your soil -- and how to properly amend it to be the best that it can be -- will help make sure your plants thrive this spring. These easy soil tests will…
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Photo by Sam Schipani Whether you started your seeds indoors or purchase them from a nursery, it's nearing time to plant them in the ground. Here's how to transplant seedlings. According to Kate Garland, horticultural specialist at…
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