What our editors are reading this month.

Want to create a stunning, sustainable desert garden that saves water and money? “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” is a must-have reference featuring a comprehensive list of 215 drought-tolerant, low-water-use plants—including trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers, grasses, cacti and more. Meticulously curated by the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA), this recently updated guide, lovingly nicknamed “The Pink Book,” offers advice for growth and maintenance—especially when providing extra TLC for gardens during extreme weather. Contact AMUA (info@amwua.org) or your local water conservation office, which can be found at amwua.org/what-you-can-do/ask-an-expert, for a free hard copy, or download a full digital PDF at amwua.org/plants.

“Essential Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening” by The American Horticultural Society provides an indispensable resource for growing sustainable, chemical-free produce. Peek into the history of vegetable gardening in America, from Indigenous cultures to modern times, and explore dozens of vegetable plant profiles with growing tips and more than 250 photos. $29 (quarto.com)

If you’re a garlic maximalist who believes one clove is never enough, behold your new bible. “The Garlic Companion” by fifth-generation farmer Kristin Graves delves into the fascinating world of garlic cultivation, harvesting, preservation and cooking. Graves offers expert tips and culinary insights for gardeners and food enthusiasts alike, with innovative recipes that feature the beloved flavor bomb, including Black Garlic Chocolate Chip Cookies. $26 (hachettebookgroup.com)

“This Creative Life” by photographer and author Robyn Lea presents a glimpse inside the homes of 20 of the world’s most eminent fashion designers. Intimate photographs and profiles reveal the creative havens that served as their inspiration, from Luke Edward Hall’s stone farmhouse in the Cotswolds to Edgardo Osorio’s palace on the banks of the Arno in Florence. $55 (thamesandhudson.com)