Allergy season is already in full swing, even though this is the best time to go out into the yard to garden. Those who suffer from unpleasant symptoms due to the pollen in the air suffer a lot during this period, but they cannot be exempted from taking care of the garden either. Fortunately, the Huffington Post has collected a few tips on how people with allergies can make working outside as bearable as possible.
Before going outside:
if you take medication for your allergies, preferably take it before you go out, don't wait until symptoms appear
wear a mouth mask, gloves, long-sleeved T-shirt and glasses
In the garden
do not touch your face and eyes while gardening;
go out in the early morning or late afternoon when the pollen concentration in the air is the lowest
time your gardening after heavy rains, because the water washes away the pollen from most of the plants and wets these tiny particles, so the wind can't transport them. But be careful, the short thunderstorms that hit the plants hard and at the same time increase the amount of pollen
Precautions
sprinkle gravel on the ground and use a special ground cover instead of mulch, as wood retains moisture, which favors the growth of molds
be careful with the hedge, as the pollen settles well between the dense, branchy branches, and mold can breed excellently. If you insist on it, prune it often
ask your non-allergic family members to hoe the lawn and weed the flower bed instead
to reduce the amount of pollen, mow the grass regularly and preferably do not leave it longer than 2 cm
close the windows and doors before mowing or mowing the lawn, and only open them a few hours later
if you have an air conditioner or furnace, change their air filters as often as possible. Moreover, there are already filters that filter 99% of pollens, as well as animal hair and other allergens
after gardening, take a shower and change your clothes. Washing your hair isn't a bad idea either, but if nothing else, at least wash your hands and face with cold water
The primary pollens
It is also worth being aware of what causes the pollen problem itself. Plants produce large quantities of these particles during their flowering period, which are carried by the wind to land on a compatible plant and pollinate them. It is therefore recommended that people with allergies avoid plants with such pollen spread by the wind, as the small particles are very easy to inhale. This doesn't mean you can't have plants in your garden, but choose plants that are pollinated by birds or insects. Their pollen grains are also larger, so the wind cannot pick them up so easily, so they do not cause unpleasant symptoms. Such plants are begonia, cactus, genelia, sunflower, verbena, tulip, iris, lily, pansy, geranium, narcissus, daisy, petunia, or the tatika. Of course, unfortunately, the pollens of the allergenic plant cannot be ruled out, they can also reach you from the surrounding area.
Find out what you're allergic to
In order to fight against allergens, you need to know exactly what you are allergic to! Instead of guessing, see an allergist for treatment recommendations.
Friend or foe?
In the compilation below, you can find out which plants you should be careful of in certain seasons, and which ones you can safely plant.
Late winter, early spring: at this time the main culprits are the trees
What to avoid: alder, ash, aspen, beech, birch, cedar, chestnut, poplar, elm, juniper, maple, mulberry, oak, olive, pecan, pine, sycamore, walnut, and willow.
Harmless: apple, cherry, fern pine, cattail, English holly, magnolia, pear, plum, red maple
Late spring, early summer: the main culprits in this period are grasses
What to avoid: bermuda grass (star grass), fescue, pine sorghum, perennial rye, meadow brush grass, calf grass
Harmless: bamboo (yes, it's also a grass)
Late summer, early autumn: the main culprits in this case are weeds and weeds
What to avoid: ragwort, black wormwood, spear plantain, burdock, garden sedge, sage
Harmless: unfortunately, everyone can be allergic