Garden District

This summer up your joie-de-vivre factor by growing your own mini-garden! For some one-stop shopping, take a stroll down to the Garden District, an independent urban garden center on 14th St NW, in Washington D.C. They’ll outfit you with low-maintenance flowers, plants and herbs to keep your world fresh and fun, even during the summer’s stifling heat. At affordable prices (basil plants for $1.50, a box of six tomato plants for around $4.50, a bag of more-than-enough organic soil for around $8) the friendly staff can provide all the tools and tutorials you’ll need for your green thumb initiation. And if I can keep anything alive, you can too.
To personalize your plants, visit the funky antique and thrift stores right around the corner from the Garden District, and pick up some quirky, decorative pots. For a bit of digging and some local flair, check out L&N Superthrift at 1830 14th, or the outside section towards the back of Ruff & Ready Furnishings, at 1908 14th. Impress your friends with light summer fare straight from your own garden—like Mojitos and fresh basil, tomato and mozzarella Caprese salads. Now all you need are some tikki torches.