Why am I passionate about this?

I am a New Englander, born and bred. I am a 5th-generation chicken keeper and lifelong gardener. An author and Maine Master Gardener, I live on a small farm in Maine where I raise chickens, ducks, and geese and grow all kinds of vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. My mom was a 3rd-grade teacher and my dad was incredibly artistic, so that combination resulted in me being an avid DIYer. I love to build and make and paint and raise and grow all kinds of things.


I wrote

Gardening with Chickens: Plans and Plants for You and Your Hens

By Lisa Steele,

Book cover of Gardening with Chickens: Plans and Plants for You and Your Hens

What is my book about?

Welcome to a world where chickens and gardens coexist! Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily,…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants

Lisa Steele Why did I love this book?

Harvest is a beautifully photographed book that verges on coffee table book status, but more importantly than that, the author provides all kinds of ways to use garden produce in cocktails, beauty products, functional arrangements, and more, all arranged by season. Includes growing tips and inspiration for using more than 40 different garden plants.

By Stefani Bittner, Alethea Harampolis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Harvest as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A beautifully photographed, gift-worthy guide to growing, harvesting, and utilizing 47 unexpected garden plants to make organic pantry staples, fragrances, floral arrangements, beverages, cocktails, beauty products, bridal gifts, and more.

Every garden--not just vegetable plots--can produce a bountiful harvest! This practical, inspirational, and seasonal guide will help make any garden more productive and enjoyable with a variety of projects using unexpected and often common garden plants, some of which may already be growing in your backyard.

Discover the surprising usefulness of petals and leaves, roots, seeds, and fruit: turn tumeric root into a natural dye and calamintha into lip balm.…


Book cover of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a Year, No Matter Where You Live

Lisa Steele Why did I love this book?

The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener is an invaluable gardening resource, especially for those of us who live in the northern climates. Nova Scotia-based author Niki Jabbour proves firsthand that it is possible to grow all kinds of vegetables in even the coldest of areas. Her cold frames from which she plucks handfuls of carrots and leafy greens when they’re buried in snow are reason enough to buy this book.

By Niki Jabbour, Joseph de Sciose (photographer),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In "The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener", Nova Scotia-based gardener and writer Niki Jabbour shares her secrets for growing food during every month of the year. Her season-defying techniques, developed in her own home garden where short summers and low levels of winter sunlight create the ultimate challenge, are doable, affordable, and rewarding for gardeners in any location where frost has traditionally ended the growing season. Jabbour explains how to make every month a vegetable-gardening month. She provides in-depth instruction for all of her time-tested techniques, including selecting the best varieties for each season, mastering the art of succession planting, and maximizing…


Book cover of Crafting with Herbs: Do-It-Yourself Botanical Decor, Beauty Products, Kitchen Essentials, and More

Lisa Steele Why did I love this book?

This former DIY Network writer has hit a home run with her latest book which is packed with all kinds of ideas for herbs, all beautifully photographed. From sachets and salves to herbal cleaning vinegars and smudge sticks, the author shares all kinds of projects. There are even edibles including herb butter and herbal teas. This one is not to be missed. 

By Debbie Wolfe,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Crafting with Herbs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Capture the beauty, fragrance, and power of herbs in these delightful crafts for home and garden.

Why craft with herbs? They're easy to grow, beautiful, fragrant, full of health benefits, and are incredibly versatile! Herbs are best known for their medicinal and culinary uses, but there's so much more you can do with them. From spray disinfectants to wreaths and garlands, custom herb salts to homemade skincare products, there's something here for every room of your house-and everyone on your gift list! Learn how to make beautiful and useful items such as:
Smudge Sticks Herb Sachets Hanging Herbal Swag Natural…


Book cover of Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms

Lisa Steele Why did I love this book?

Another coffee table book contender, A Year in Flowers is an absolute feast for the eyes. The flower arrangements, wreaths, and bouquets included are not only beautiful, but seasonally relevant and accompanied by growing tips by the flower queen herself, Erin Benzakein. Followers of Floret Farm on Instagram will appreciate this hardcover version of her social media feed.

By Erin Benzakein, Julie Chai,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Cut Flower Garden: Erin Benzakein is a florist-farmer, leader in the locaflor farm-to-centerpiece movement, and owner of internationally renowned Floret Flower Farm in Washington's lush Skagit Valley.

A stunning flower book: This beautiful gardening book and guide to growing, harvesting, and arranging gorgeous blooms year-round provides readers with vital tools to nurture a stunning flower garden and use their blossoms and cut flowers to create show-stopping arrangements. It makes a beautiful gift for any occasion, for friends, loved ones and gardening lovers alike!

Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden: Cut Flower Garden is equal parts instruction and inspiration-a flower gardening…


Book cover of 101 Organic Gardening Hacks: Eco-Friendly Solutions to Improve Any Garden

Lisa Steele Why did I love this book?

The ultimate DIY gardening book, author Shawna Coronado shares more than 100 quick and easy, practical and functional projects for the garden to save you time and money. From tips for a more bountiful harvest to mixing your own garden soil, repelling garden pests, or making a more attractive garden border, the author walks the readers through each project with simple step-by-step instructions.

By Shawna Coronado,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked 101 Organic Gardening Hacks as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Shawna Coronado, one of America’s most creative gardeners, gives you her library of clever gardening tricks in 101 Organic Gardening Hacks.

If you ask garden author Shawna Coronado what a hack is, she might just wave her hand toward her own back yard. She could be pointing at the garden bench she created from leftover wood posts and a few cinder blocks, or the rows of wine bottles buried soldier-style along a winding pathway, or even the garden soil itself, which is blended by hand from an organic soil recipe she devised.

In 101 Organic Garden Hacks you’ll find the…


Explore my book 😀

Gardening with Chickens: Plans and Plants for You and Your Hens

By Lisa Steele,

Book cover of Gardening with Chickens: Plans and Plants for You and Your Hens

What is my book about?

Welcome to a world where chickens and gardens coexist! Join Lisa Steele, chicken-keeper extraordinaire and founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, on a unique journey through the garden. Start by planning your garden and learning strategies for keeping your plants safe while they grow, plus the most valuable herbs, composting chicken manure, using chickens to work the soil, which plants to avoid and more. Then comes the fun part: enjoy the harvest, and even let the chickens graze!

Lisa's friendly writing, together with inspirational photos and illustrations, will have you rolling up your sleeves and reaching for your gardening tools. Whether you're an experienced chicken keeper, master gardener, or just getting into these hobbies, Gardening with Chickens is an indispensable guide for a harmonious homestead.

Book cover of Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants
Book cover of The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a Year, No Matter Where You Live
Book cover of Crafting with Herbs: Do-It-Yourself Botanical Decor, Beauty Products, Kitchen Essentials, and More

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Steamed and Steamy: Recipes from the Steampunk World of Industralia

By Lori Alden Holuta, Tanya Paterson (illustrator),

Book cover of Steamed and Steamy: Recipes from the Steampunk World of Industralia

Lori Alden Holuta Author Of The Flight to Brassbright

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Word addict Earth mama Avant garde crocheter Steampunk Expat Seattleite

Lori's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

After writing The Flight To Brassbright, I realized that my characters spent a lot of time enjoying a wide variety of foods and beverages. I suppose it couldn't be helped since their author is such a foodie.

I thought it would be fun to spin off a cookbook with real, practical recipes so that readers could enjoy the same foods as my wacky cast did on their adventures. There's something for everyone, as the cookbook runs the gamut. You'll find mouth-watering treats such as hearty meat pies, 'coal' cookies, Victorian-era 'hot dogs', bread and butter pickles, and home-spun cotton…

Steamed and Steamy: Recipes from the Steampunk World of Industralia

By Lori Alden Holuta, Tanya Paterson (illustrator),

What is this book about?

Even fictional characters gotta eat. These are their recipes. Now you can make the favorite foods of the fictional country of Industralia, from breakfast right on through to late night snacks. You’ll even learn how to make traditional New Year's “Coal Week” holiday treats.

"Ah, the delightful sounds and smells of cooking. And explosions. Or maybe that is just my kitchen... Venture forth into the wilds of your own kitchen to explore the possibilities for flavor and ingredients you encountered in your explorations of Industralia! From carnival peanuts and cotton candy to some hearty meat pies these recipes can help…


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Interested in gardening, herbs, and organic gardening?

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