Sam Schipani

The cost of food is a major consideration for many. But with a few habit tweaks, you can spend less. Here's how to save money on groceries. Photo by Linda Coan O'Kresik Grocery stores are literally designed to make us want to spend…
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Square foot garden. | Courtesy of the Square Foot Gardening Foundation If you watched PBS in the 1980s, you may already be familiar with the work of Mel Bartholomew, a retired engineer and the father of square foot gardening. Square…
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Community apiary at Hudson Gardens in Littleton, Colorado. | Courtesy of Hudson Gardens There can be many roadblocks to start beekeeping, especially for wannabe apiarists in urban areas. Perhaps you live in an apartment without a yard,…
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If you want a creative gardening project this spring but do not have yard space for a garden, you could create a DIY hydroponic system. Photo by David Wees Hydroponics is a soil-less method of growing plants in a water and nutrient…
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Photo by Gabor Degre Hummingbirds may seem like mystical sprites reserved for the tropics, but the small birds can be found around the United States at different parts of the year as they migrate between their southern winter habitats…
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Photo by Aphiwat Chuangchoem via Pexels Raising quail on your homestead? Or perhaps you have noticed these tiny, splotchy eggs on the stands of your farmers market or on the shelves of your local health food store? Whatever, the case,…
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BDN file photo Some gardeners live in fear of frost. Even as the days begin to warm, a surprise cold snap could mean the end of the road for precious tomatoes and peppers sown too soon. Growers in a handful of tropical areas may not…
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The 2012 United States Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Maybe you are a first-time gardener trying to figure out what to plant, or maybe you are a seasoned grower trying to figure out why your perennial flowers never…
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Forget the pricy colored water at the store, hummingbird food is easy to make and use in hummingbird feeders. BDN file photo Having a hummingbird grace your yard feels like a magical experience, like being visited by a fairy. …
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Photo by Gabor Degre Between the freezing cold temperatures and the wet, heavy snow, winter months can wreak havoc on your home. When things finally thaw out, you probably have a number of spring repairs to do around the house to get…
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Photo via RawPixel.com via Pexel The weather is warming and spring cleaning is just around the corner. The annual scrub and purge is an important part of maintaining your homestead, but it takes time, and it can be challenging to…
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Photo by Gabor Degre Skittles may have coined the catchphrase “Taste the Rainbow” to sell their colorful, sugary candies, but the adage has some truth for fruits and vegetables as well. Yes, you should eat the rainbow. While…
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