Fruit of the Loam Local author Jacqueline Soule presents her new book, Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening. Jacqueline Soule, longtime Southwest gardener and Tucsonan, has authored several gardening books. Her newest release from Cool Springs Press is Southwest Fruit & Vegetable Gardening. This how-to guide identifies 60 varieties of the best-performing fruits, vegetables and herbs for any size desert garden. Water thrifty plants and drought-tolerant options are highlighted throughout. Soule’s book is chock full of colorful photos, as well as helpful graphs and charts, that can motivate and educate any gardener.