Sam Schipani

‘Tis the season for aggravated allergies. You may have noticed that when the yuletide season rolls around, so do heightened allergy symptoms: sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, runny nose, even exacerbated asthma. Not to be a Grinch, but it…
Read more...

Growing plants without soil? No, it’s not science fiction -- it’s hydroponics. Lettuce growing in deep flow hydroponics; a student is lifting up part of a Styrofoam board to reveal the roots and the water underneath. | David Wees …
Read more...

Many bakers have treasured sourdough starters that have been passed down for generations. For homesteaders who haven’t inherited a magical bread-making formula, you can make sourdough starter by following a few simple steps. ©Zagorulko…
Read more...

Worms held above a worm bin used for vermicompost. | Photo courtesy of Rhonda Sherman Even if worms make you squirm, the benefit that these squishy invertebrates have on gardens is undeniable. Worm waste, or “castings,” are incredibly…
Read more...

Most folks can’t get by without that cup of morning joe. But when you’re done brewing, don’t toss those used coffee grounds — they can be as useful as the brew itself. Some cities and municipalities have green recycling programs…
Read more...

Believe it or not, you don’t need a greenhouse to grow crops indoors. Whether you are a city dweller pressed for yard space or homesteader looking to add a little green to the winter months, you can easily start an indoor vegetable garden.…
Read more...

The holidays are just around the corner, and shopping season is in full swing. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or something else entirely, if you are in the practice of exchanging gifts, you might be clamoring to find the…
Read more...

Fresh, local produce can seem scarce in the winter. Though many farmers markets close in the winter months, some markets will continue to operate even after the growing seasons have ended. Winter farmers markets not only bring fresh food…
Read more...

Many homesteaders have not heard of the Muscovy. If you are a backyard fowl enthusiast, you may want to add this quirky bird to your flock. A group of muscovies at Metzer Farms in Gonzales, California. | Photo courtesy of John Metzer …
Read more...

Once you add chickens to your homestead, delicious fresh eggs will likely become a regular part of your diet. But throwing out used eggshells after scrambling breakfast or baking a cake, however, wastes a valuable resource that can be…
Read more...

Foraging is the art of searching for provisions growing wild, but how do you forage responsibly? As the locavore movement gains popularity, more and more people are striking out to search for provisions in order to get back to the wild…
Read more...

Overwintering vegetables is a great way to extend the growing season. Here's how to get started. Overwintering kale, chard, and leeks on a farm in Belfast, Maine. | Abigail Curtis Growing vegetables during the winter is no feat of…
Read more...