Understanding garden design : the complete handbook for aspiring designers by Vanessa Gardner Nagel — August may seem like an odd time to be designing a garden, but it's never the wrong time to plan and this book is all about planning. It includes instructions and information on overall design, working with the natural features of the landscape, irrigation, lighting, and much more. It also includes tips and suggestions for what to plant in what sorts of places in your garden for a pleasing overall effect.