Maybe it's too early to dig in the garden, but it's the perfect time plan your plantings. Here are some new books to inspire you:

     ``Timeless Landscape Design: The Four-Part Master Plan,'' by Mary Palmer Dargan and Hugh Graham Dargan (Gibbs Smith, Publisher, $29.95). The Dargans are Atlanta-based landscape architects with plenty of magazine and TV cred. Their plan blends professional design techniques and practical advice to help you achieve a sophisticated look - now matter what size or style of property you have.

     ``Small Buildings, Small Gardens: Creating Gardens Around Structures,'' by Gordon Hayward (Gibbs, Smith, Publisher, $29.95). Hayward, a renowned garden designer, offers practical advice on placing all types of structures - from sheds and fences to arbors, gazebos and decks - to enhance your landscape.

     ``Balcony & Container Plants from A to Z,'' (Barron's Educational Series, $13.99). Master one of the hottest trends in gardening with this pocket guide to choosing and designing with plants that thrive in containers. Includes tips on picking containers, mixing soils and combining plants, plus comprehensive profiles of more than 200 plants.

     ``The Way We Garden Now: 41-Pick-and-Choose Projects for Planting Your Paradise, Large or Small,'' by Katherine Whiteside (Clarkson Potter, $29.95). Whiteside's easygoing, ``you-can-do-it'' style and focus on concrete projects is terrific for the garden newbie. Projects range from brightening a shady spot to creating an evening garden filled with night-blooming plants. Each includes a shopping list, inventory of tools needed and step-by-step installation instructions.

     ``Rodale's Vegetable Garden Problem Solver,'' by Fern Marshall Bradley (Rodale Press, $19.95) promises the ``best and latest advice'' for fighting pests, disease and weeds. Includes an alphabetical guide to more than 60 vegetables, an ``insect key'' to identify what's eating your plants and what to do about it, and a problem-solving approach to everything from starting seeds to harvesting.

     ``The Art of Japanese Gardens: Designing & Making Your Own Peaceful Space,'' by Herb Gustafson (Sterling, $14.95). A guide to creating your own Asian-inspired spot of beauty and tranquility, with tips on plant selection, water features and garden structures.