https://read.greenwisdom.us/Practical self-reliance guides for the American household. en-us https://read.greenwisdom.us/water-during-power-outagehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/water-during-power-outage WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Does water work during a power outage? City water often keeps running at first, but a well pump stops. What to fill, what to save, when to boil. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-set-up-a-rain-barrelhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-set-up-a-rain-barrel WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to set up a rain barrel: raise it on level blocks, fit the spigot 3 to 4 inches up, add a diverter, screen every opening and plan the overflow. https://read.greenwisdom.us/first-flush-diverterhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/first-flush-diverter WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A first flush diverter dumps the dirtiest roof water before it reaches your barrel. How it works, how big to make it, and a 30-minute DIY build. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-connect-rain-barrelshttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-connect-rain-barrels WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to connect rain barrels together: link them at the base on one level platform, keep a single spigot, and route the last barrel's overflow away. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-water-filterhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-water-filter WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000The best DIY water filter for drinking is a two-bucket ceramic gravity filter. How to build it, what it removes, and why you still disinfect after. https://read.greenwisdom.us/biosand-filterhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/biosand-filter WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A biosand filter uses layered sand and a living biolayer to remove most bacteria and protozoa. How it works, how to build one, and how to keep it alive. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-much-water-per-person-per-dayhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-much-water-per-person-per-day WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How much water per person per day in an emergency? One gallon, for at least 3 days and ideally 2 weeks. Totals by household, containers and rotation. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-purify-water-with-bleachhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-purify-water-with-bleach WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000The bleach to purify water ratio: 8 drops of 6% unscented bleach or 6 drops of 8.25% per gallon, then 30 minutes. Full chart, boiling times and limits. https://read.greenwisdom.us/solar-water-pasteurizationhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/solar-water-pasteurization WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Solar water pasteurization heats clear water to about 149°F with a black jar, a reflector and a WAPI. How it works, how long it takes, and SODIS compared. https://read.greenwisdom.us/greywater-system-for-homehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/greywater-system-for-home WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A simple greywater system for home: catch shower and sink water in buckets, flush the toilet with it and water ornamentals. The rules and what to leave out. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-winterize-a-rain-barrelhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-winterize-a-rain-barrel WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to winterize a rain barrel: drain it before the first hard freeze, open the spigot, disconnect the diverter and store it upside down. Step-by-step guide. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-test-well-waterhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-test-well-water WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to test well water: a certified lab test every year for coliform bacteria, nitrates, TDS and pH, home strips for screening, and a log to catch changes. https://read.greenwisdom.us/gravity-fed-water-systemhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/gravity-fed-water-system WaterThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A gravity fed water system gives about 0.43 psi per foot of height: a tank 6 to 8 feet up yields 2.6 to 3.5 psi. Stand, weight, plumbing and safe treatment. https://read.greenwisdom.us/generator-in-garagehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/generator-in-garage PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Running a generator in the garage with the door open can kill in minutes. The 20-foot rule, CO alarms, and how to power house circuits the safe way. https://read.greenwisdom.us/what-size-solar-generator-do-i-needhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/what-size-solar-generator-do-i-need PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000What size solar generator do you need? Measure your critical load in watt-hours, then cover one to two days. Household table, fridge math and the four specs. https://read.greenwisdom.us/what-size-inverter-do-i-needhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/what-size-inverter-do-i-need PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000What size inverter do you need? Take your largest AC load, add 25% and check the surge rating for motors. Pure sine vs modified sine, fridges and safe wiring. https://read.greenwisdom.us/mppt-vs-pwm-charge-controllerhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/mppt-vs-pwm-charge-controller PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000MPPT vs PWM charge controller: PWM suits small 12 V panels under 200 W, MPPT harvests 20 to 30% more on bigger arrays. Sizing formula and wiring order. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-lifepo4-battery-boxhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-lifepo4-battery-box PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Build a DIY LiFePO4 battery box: a 12 V battery with BMS, a 40 A master fuse, fused outlets and a voltmeter, storing about 600 usable watt-hours. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-connect-batteries-in-parallelhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-connect-batteries-in-parallel PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to connect batteries in parallel: match them, charge each first, use equal cables and diagonal feeds. Series vs parallel, and why old and new don't mix. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-solar-charging-stationhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-solar-charging-station PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Build a DIY solar charging station from one 100 W panel, a charge controller and a 12 V battery: parts, wiring order and how many phone charges a day. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-solar-panel-ground-mounthttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-solar-panel-ground-mount PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Build a DIY solar panel ground mount from pressure-treated 2x4s: a hinged A-frame with adjustable tilt, the right angle for your latitude, and anchoring. https://read.greenwisdom.us/power-outage-lightinghttps://read.greenwisdom.us/power-outage-lighting PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000The best lighting for a power outage is LED: a headlamp per person, two or three lanterns, and night lights that switch on when the grid drops. https://read.greenwisdom.us/use-car-as-generator-power-outagehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/use-car-as-generator-power-outage PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Using your car as a generator during a power outage works for phones, radios and a router. The inverter, the fuel math, and why it never runs in the garage. https://read.greenwisdom.us/hand-crank-emergency-radiohttps://read.greenwisdom.us/hand-crank-emergency-radio PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A hand crank emergency radio should get the NOAA weather band and have real USB output. What to buy, how to test it, and the power banks that back it up. https://read.greenwisdom.us/12v-led-lighting-systemhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/12v-led-lighting-system PowerThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A 12V LED lighting system for off grid use runs straight off the battery. Where the lights go, which wire gauge, how to fuse it, and what it draws. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-stay-warm-without-powerhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-stay-warm-without-power HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to stay warm without power: pick one small room, seal the doorway, layer up, sleep together, and never use a gas oven, grill or generator for heat. https://read.greenwisdom.us/keep-pipes-from-freezing-power-outagehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/keep-pipes-from-freezing-power-outage HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to keep pipes from freezing when the power is out: drip the far faucets, open sink cabinets, find the main water shutoff and know when to drain the lines. https://read.greenwisdom.us/carbon-monoxide-detector-placementhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/carbon-monoxide-detector-placement HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Carbon monoxide detector placement: one on every level and outside each sleeping area, with battery backup. Where smoke alarms go and what beeps mean. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-rocket-stovehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-rocket-stove HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A DIY rocket stove from 24 to 30 bricks: the L-shaped design, how to fire it on twigs, and the outdoor-only rules that keep emergency cooking safe. https://read.greenwisdom.us/wood-stove-safetyhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/wood-stove-safety HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Wood stove safety in plain terms: burn firewood under 20% moisture, keep 3 feet clear, have the chimney swept yearly to stop creosote, and handle ashes right. https://read.greenwisdom.us/fire-extinguisher-for-homehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/fire-extinguisher-for-home HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000The best fire extinguisher for home use is a multipurpose ABC model. Where to put fire extinguishers in a house, how to use PASS, and when to just get out. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-insulate-windows-for-winterhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-insulate-windows-for-winter HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to insulate windows for winter with shrink film, thermal curtains hung to seal, and a draft stopper on the sill. Steps, order, and what each layer does. https://read.greenwisdom.us/attic-hatch-insulationhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/attic-hatch-insulation HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Attic hatch insulation in one afternoon: two layers of rigid foam, weatherstripping and a latch, plus the rim joist fix in the basement. Steps and code notes. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-find-air-leaks-in-your-househttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-find-air-leaks-in-your-house HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to find air leaks in your house with an incense stick on a windy day, where leaks hide, and when to use caulk vs spray foam to seal them for good. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-solar-air-heaterhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-solar-air-heater HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Build a DIY solar air heater for a south window: a glazed black box that adds 100 to 250 watts of free heat on sunny winter days. Materials, steps, limits. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-sleep-warm-in-a-cold-househttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-sleep-warm-in-a-cold-house HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to sleep warm in a cold house: a pad under you, a bag rated 20°F below the room, a blanket and a hat. Layering rules and what never to use for heat. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-board-up-windows-for-a-hurricanehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-board-up-windows-for-a-hurricane HeatThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to board up windows for a hurricane: 5/8-inch plywood cut to fit, the mounting method that holds, why tape fails, and a kit you can install in an hour. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-long-does-food-last-in-fridge-without-powerhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-long-does-food-last-in-fridge-without-power FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How long does food last in the fridge without power? About 4 hours shut, 48 for a full freezer. What to toss, what to keep, and how to keep it cold. https://read.greenwisdom.us/30-day-food-supply-listhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/30-day-food-supply-list FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A 30 day food supply list per adult and for a family of 4: rice, beans, pasta, oats, cans and oil, at about 2,000 calories a day, rotated like a pantry. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-build-a-root-cellarhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-build-a-root-cellar FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to build a root cellar in a basement corner or a buried barrel, with the temperature and humidity each crop needs. A weekend of work, zero power to run. https://read.greenwisdom.us/water-bath-canning-for-beginnershttps://read.greenwisdom.us/water-bath-canning-for-beginners FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Water bath canning for beginners: which foods are safe in a boiling water canner, how much headspace to leave, and how to adjust processing time for altitude. https://read.greenwisdom.us/pressure-canning-for-beginnershttps://read.greenwisdom.us/pressure-canning-for-beginners FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Pressure canning for beginners: why low-acid foods need it, pressure canner vs pressure cooker, the 10-minute vent, dial gauge testing and altitude settings. https://read.greenwisdom.us/dehydrating-food-for-beginnershttps://read.greenwisdom.us/dehydrating-food-for-beginners FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Dehydrating food for beginners: the 140°F rule for fruits and vegetables, how to dry food in an oven, safe jerky temperatures, and how to store dried food. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-can-rotation-rackhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-can-rotation-rack FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Build a DIY can rotation rack in about two hours: tilted runs that load at the back and serve from the front, so canned food rotates first in, first out. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-sprout-seeds-in-a-jarhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-sprout-seeds-in-a-jar FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to sprout seeds in a jar: soak 2 tablespoons of seed overnight, rinse twice a day, harvest in 3 to 5 days. Plus mung bean, alfalfa and safety tips. https://read.greenwisdom.us/grow-potatoes-in-containershttps://read.greenwisdom.us/grow-potatoes-in-containers FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Grow potatoes in containers: plant 3 to 4 seed pieces in a 10 to 15 gallon grow bag, hill as they grow, and expect 5 to 10 pounds per bag. Full steps. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-build-a-raised-garden-bedhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-build-a-raised-garden-bed FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to build a raised garden bed: a 4x8 frame of untreated cedar, cardboard over the grass, and a half topsoil, half compost mix. Materials, soil math, steps. https://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-cold-framehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/diy-cold-frame FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000DIY cold frame plans: a sloped 2x8 box, 12 inches high at the back and 8 at the front, with an old window hinged on top. How to build, plant and vent it. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-make-sauerkrauthttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-make-sauerkraut FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to make sauerkraut at home: 3 tablespoons of canning salt per 5 pounds of cabbage, packed under brine at 70 to 75°F for about 3 to 4 weeks. Step by step. https://read.greenwisdom.us/seed-saving-for-beginnershttps://read.greenwisdom.us/seed-saving-for-beginners FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Seed saving for beginners: start with open-pollinated beans, peas and tomatoes, dry the seed well, and store it cool, dark and airtight with a desiccant. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-cook-without-electricityhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-to-cook-without-electricity FoodThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How to cook without electricity: a camp stove or grill used outdoors only, a solar box oven for slow bakes, and the fuel math to last a week-long outage. https://read.greenwisdom.us/what-to-do-when-the-power-goes-outhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/what-to-do-when-the-power-goes-out ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000What to do when the power goes out, in order: a 20-minute checklist for people, hazards, water and food, then the first hour and the days after. https://read.greenwisdom.us/emergency-supply-calculatorhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/emergency-supply-calculator ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How much food and water to store for an emergency: 1 gallon per person per day, about 2,000 calories, plus pet water. Enter your household for totals. https://read.greenwisdom.us/neighborhood-emergency-planhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/neighborhood-emergency-plan ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Make a neighborhood emergency plan in one evening: map who lives nearby, who needs a check first and what can be shared. Mutual aid with no apps needed. https://read.greenwisdom.us/family-emergency-communication-planhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/family-emergency-communication-plan ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Build a family emergency communication plan in one evening: an out-of-area contact, text-first rules, three meeting places and a wallet card for everyone. https://read.greenwisdom.us/emergency-binder-checklisthttps://read.greenwisdom.us/emergency-binder-checklist ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000An emergency binder checklist: which documents to copy for identity, home, money and medical records, where to keep the binder, and the USB backup copy. https://read.greenwisdom.us/72-hour-kit-checklisthttps://read.greenwisdom.us/72-hour-kit-checklist ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A 72-hour kit checklist: water, food, light, radio, first aid, documents and cash for three days at home, plus the bag that goes if you must leave. https://read.greenwisdom.us/off-grid-living-for-beginnershttps://read.greenwisdom.us/off-grid-living-for-beginners ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Off grid living for beginners starts with water, alarms, light and a plan, not solar panels. A five-phase order that takes a household from zero to ready. https://read.greenwisdom.us/car-emergency-kit-listhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/car-emergency-kit-list ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A complete car emergency kit list with winter and summer add-ons, the half tank rule, and what to do if you are stranded in snow. https://read.greenwisdom.us/home-first-aid-kit-listhttps://read.greenwisdom.us/home-first-aid-kit-list ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000The Red Cross home first aid kit list for a family of four, the extra supplies worth adding, and how to keep the kit stocked and in date. https://read.greenwisdom.us/pet-emergency-preparednesshttps://read.greenwisdom.us/pet-emergency-preparedness ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000Pet emergency preparedness in one plan: a two-week pet kit, how much water a dog needs per day, and how to evacuate with pets when shelters say no. https://read.greenwisdom.us/how-much-cash-to-keep-at-homehttps://read.greenwisdom.us/how-much-cash-to-keep-at-home ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000How much cash to keep at home for emergencies: a common target of one to two weeks of essentials, in small bills, split between three places. https://read.greenwisdom.us/shelter-in-place-kithttps://read.greenwisdom.us/shelter-in-place-kit ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000What goes in a shelter in place kit, how to choose the room, how to seal it with plastic sheeting and duct tape, and how long to stay inside. https://read.greenwisdom.us/winter-storm-preparedness-checklisthttps://read.greenwisdom.us/winter-storm-preparedness-checklist ReadinessThu, 08 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000A winter storm preparedness checklist for your house and car, plus the fall home preparation calendar that gets the work done before the cold.