Kenna O'Rourke
School
University Of Pennsylvania
Expertise
Houseplant Care, Outdoor Gardening, Sustainability
- Kenna has been a volunteer grave gardener at the Woodlands historic cemetery in Philadelphia since 2016.
- They've been a home gardener for years and have spent many hours researching plant care.
- Sustainability is a lifelong passion of Kenna's, and they're especially interested in upcycling DIY projects.
Experience
Kenna O'Rourke (they/she) is a professional editor and writer who has worked with venues like McSweeney's, Camino Books, the Penn Art & Culture blog, and Jacket2 magazine. Their favorite topics with House Blog have included DIY roundups, sustainable home and garden hacks, and ideas for crafting on a budget. Kenna has a background in copywriting, proofreading, and developmental editing and most recently served as the managing editor of Jacket2, an academic poetics journal, for eight years. Their editorial and copywriting experience spans over eleven years, and they currently do freelance editorial, writing, and research work for The Urban Writers and Dr. Kyoo Lee (CUNY).
Education
Kenna holds a bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from the University of Pennsylvania.
House Blog uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Kenna O'Rourke
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They might be pretty, but you don't want tamarisk trees on your property. Here's everything to know about the unique quality that also makes them problematic.
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If you're a hummingbird lover and you're unfamiliar with balsam (a member of the impatiens family) you're missing out. Choose these cultivars for the best luck.
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While firestick plants can be grown in the ground in certain climates, here's why you may want to consider growing them in containers instead.
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Some trees, while beautiful, may not be suited for your yard due to the fact they grow so rapidly. Luckily, there are alternatives that are even better options.
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When it comes to your lemon tree, you want yellow fruit, not yellow leaves. If you're dealing with the latter, micronutrient deficiencies may be to blame.
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Coffee grounds can be used as fertilizer for your plants, but there's more to it than just dumping the grounds in your garden. Here's what you need to know.
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If you want to change the landscape of your yard, you may be considering transplanting some shrubs. Here are some expert tips for the most efficient transplant.
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HGTV's Farmhouse Fixer recently shined the spotlight on a very simple and effective plant trend that you can easily master for your own home.
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Available in various sizes, shapes, and colors, Chinese fringe flowers are great in colorful garden designs. Here's where to plant yours for beautiful blooms.
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Ground covers make a beautiful, low-maintenance addition to landscaping or as a lawn alternative, but make sure you aren't growing this aggressive plant.
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Say goodbye to these 7 pesky weed varieties this summer. Learn how to use baking soda for effective, eco-friendly weed control in your yard and garden.
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If you live in an area with acidic soil, you may find yourself struggling to make plants grow. Follow this guide to identify plants that thrive in low-pH soil.
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Upcycle items from around your house to turn into DIY garden plant labels. Learn how to recycle broken or unused items to make plant labels for your garden.
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Exterior renovations can get expensive fast, but you can add some serious charm with these budget-friendly ideas for your deck that are light on your wallet.
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Limescale can be difficult to get rid of. Luckily, you can use household items to safely and effectively remove limescale and prevent it from building up.
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Citrus fruits are great in food and drinks, but they can also be used around the home. From cleaning to deodorizing, here are some of our favorite uses.
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Dollar Tree has always been an amazing resource for storage and organization DIYs around the home, and these ones are perfect for your garage needs.
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Keeping paper towels and toilet paper in a visible spot is helpful for guests and for gauging your inventory. So, use these genius hacks to store your stash.
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Your standard toilet plunger may not look stylish. But, with some inspiration and basic craft supplies, you can turn this clog-removing tool into DIY decor.
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If you shop online, you likely end up with lots of packaging to toss. Luckily, there are great ways to use boxes and packing supplies in your garden instead.
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Do you want to draw adorable feathered friends to your yard? With these simple DIY hummingbird feeders, you can attract the color creatures for a sweet snack.
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The IKEA TRONES shoe cabinet is a top seller for a reason. Plus, this simple solution can be used as versatile storage in many spaces within your home.