But, whether you’re a brand-new freshman or a seasoned senior, living on campus doesn’t have to be beige. We turned to a few experts to ask for their insights on how to make a dorm feel chic and functional rather than drab and dated. “The great thing about peel and stick wallpaper is that you can use it on anything,” Day says. “Furniture, doors, anywhere. It adds a great pop of color to the back of a bookcase, or you can create a DIY headboard in a dorm....

Unfortunately, in some regions, other animals such as squirrels and moles are sometimes colloquially referred to as “gophers.” Adding to the confusion is that there is more than one genus (and many species or subspecies) of gophers. For example, we have the Western pocket gopher (Thomomys genus) and the Eastern pocket gopher (Geomys genus). Fortunately, for the purpose of getting rid of gophers from your yard, it is not important to delve into distinctions between these genera....

San Marzano Plant Care Place plants near a wall or fence or offer them a stake or strong cage for extra support. It’s best to do this sooner rather than later while the roots are small. Otherwise, you may have to slide it over the tomato plant and disturb its growing foliage. Most San Marzano tomatoes are indeterminate and will grow rather large, so typical tomato cages may be too small or not supportive enough....

Keep in mind that the root system of avocado trees is quite sensitive, so try not to unnecessarily disturb the roots during the planting process. Dig a hole that is wider than the root structure. The depth of the hole should generally match the height of the root ball, since planting the tree too deep or too shallow can cause problems. The trees are vulnerable to high winds so very young, soft, and immature trees may benefit from support....

‘Becky’ shasta daisy is considered mildly toxic to people and pets. Light Plant ‘Becky’ shasta daisy in a spot that receives full sun for at least six to eight hours a day for prolific flowering. In climates with especially hot summers, light shade in the afternoon can be beneficial. If your daisy grows leggy, lack of sun could be the reason. Soil ‘Becky’ shasta daisy isn’t picky about its soil type if the soil has good drainage....

Bugleweed spreads via stolons, runners that take root at points along its length to form new plants which enables it to quickly overrun its planting area. Bugleweed spreads quite aggressively so plant it where it won’t creep into other areas of your garden or lawn. The plant excels at filling in large, shady areas where lawns are difficult to grow, and it can work well on banks or slopes or planted around trees and shrubs....

Cardinal flower is normally planted from potted nursery starts in the spring, or by seeds sown in fall. It is a fairly fast-growing plant that usually flowers in its first year. Individual plants are short-lived, but cardinal flower perpetuates itself constantly by self-seeding and sending out offshoots that quickly colonize an area. As is true of other species in the Lobelia genus, cardinal flower is seriously toxic to humans and to pets....

This slow-growing shrub loves shade. Its shallow roots must be kept cool and moist in well-drained soil that does not hold water or become boggy. Happy rhododendrons can reach heights over 8 feet when mature. It is an ideal plant for woodland gardens, particularly those with excessive shade. Do note, though, that all parts of this rhododendron shrub are poisonous to humans and pets. The Catawba rhododendron grows best in shaded areas because its sensitive root system does not like to be exposed to heat....

If you have the room and the sun, it requires you may want to put the English Walnut on your list of trees to consider growing. Light The English walnut does not demand much, but full sun is on its list of must-haves. For your tree to thrive and produce a prolific amount of walnuts, you need to plant your tree in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sun a day....

All this comes at the expense of regular maintenance to keep this relatively short-lived tree healthy and extend its life. Pruning, keeping it well watered, and checking for pests and diseases should all be added to your list of chores. Keeping tabs on these routines will allow you to enjoy your tree for years to come. Light You might be inclined to think that since this is a flowering tree it would thrive in the brightest sun you can throw at it, but that is not exactly true....

Hens and chicks has a moderately quick growth rate and is best planted in spring—however, if you’d like to grow new plants from seed, you may want to start them in pots in the fall so the young plants are ready to go into the garden in the spring. They also make a great houseplant. Mature plants may send up flower stalks in summer, but the central rosette (the hen) will die after flowering, at which time you will need to remove it, allowing the offset chicks to continue the colony....

This evergreen shrub features slightly bronze foliage that matures to a deep green color. Its oblong leaves are roughly 2 to 4 inches long with a leathery texture and serrated edges. In the spring, the shrub bears showy, fragrant, light pink or white flowers that grow in clusters. The blooms are star-shaped with five petals. Small, dark blue fruits appear after the shrub flowers and can remain on the plant through winter unless they’re eaten by wildlife....

The waxy succulent foliage can change from blue-green to pink and purple tones depending on how much sunlight they receive. The tubular flowers which bloom in shades of yellow, orange and red will add a burst of interesting color to your garden in the summer, and their nectar is attractive to pollinators. Sprawling jewel aloes grow well as decorative ground cover in dry, Mediterranean-style climates. It’s a great choice for adding to a spacious rock garden, it can add interest to edges....

Monterey pine is normally planted as small nursery container-grown specimen—or simple seedling—in early spring or fall. It is one of the fastest-growing of all pines, adding 3 to 6 feet per year. In ideal conditions, the tree can reach 80 feet within 20 years. There are instances of older trees approaching 200 feet in height. The tree is best planted in fertile but sandy soil, in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade, spaced 40 or 50 feet from buildings and other large trees....

Blow wives is a quick-growing wildflower that is normally planted by sowing seeds in fall through early winter. Specialty nurseries might also offer potted plants. Planted either way, blow wives will quickly grow to bloom from late March to June, after which they will freely self-seed. Once a patch is planted, you’ll probably not need to plant seeds again, thanks to the ready way these plants distribute their seeds. There is not much involved in growing these plants other than planting the seeds or potted plants....

The yellow birch is prone to insects and diseases common to all birches, such as birch borers and root rot. You can avoid issues with your tree if you provide it with adequate care throughout its life. You can propagate yellow birches using cuttings or seeds to create uniformity in planting. Light Full sun is ideal, but if grown in a woodland landscape or near buildings, it can handle partial shade....

The dark blue berries of the Virginia creeper contain amounts of oxalic acid that are toxic to humans, although birds can enjoy eating them without harm. Don’t leave curious kids unattended around it. The sap contains needle-like oxalate crystals, which, for a small portion of the population, can irritate the skin and cause a rash. If you are sensitive, wear gloves when handling it. Virginia creeper will climb trees and cast shade on their leaves, thus depriving them of needed sunlight....

You can grow two varieties of cultivated wild raspberry—summer-fruiting and ever-bearing—right in your backyard. Similar to strawberries, summer-fruiting raspberry bushes produce a crop of berries once during the summer, whereas ever-bearing bushes produce berries all summer and into the fall. The best time to plant wild raspberry is during the early spring, after the last frost, and when the soil is workable. Healthy bushes can grow as big as three to nine feet tall and wide and bear ripe fruit starting at the end of the season or in their second year of growth, depending on the variety....