6 Allergens You Should Be Aware Of If You Love Gardening

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6 Allergens You Should Be Aware Of If You Love Gardening

It is a wonderful feeling to nurture a plant till it blossoms beautiful flowers and fruits. Many of us love gardening, but some are allergic to pollen grains or dust. It is mostly during spring and summer that the symptoms of allergy increase. In case you have a hobby of gardening but worried about your allergy problem, then a little study about plants and gardening can be beneficial. Given below are some tips which can redeem allergy and let you enjoy your hobby of gardening.

1. Timing is everything:

It is seen that pollen counts vary according to time and weather. They increase in the morning and reduce by evening. So you can continue gardening either early in the morning or when the sun is setting. Avoiding gardening during the rainy season and on windy days is advisable. This is because most number of pollens merges in the air during this time which can aggravate your allergy.

6 Allergens You Should Be Aware Of If You Love Gardening

2. Choose Plants Carefully:

People have a misconception that flowering plants are the reason for seasonal allergy. Flowers pollens are heavy which fall on the surface. The major cause of allergy is the lightweight pollen found in trees, weeds, and grasses. Trees which are fruitless often trigger allergic symptoms like congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and running nose. Plants related to ragweed like chrysanthemums, daisies, and sunflower induces allergy. So it is best to avoid using them while gardening. Also while setting a bed of lush green lawn, beware of the pollen trap that can escalate allergy. Choose plants and grass that have less amount of pollen. You can design your garden with allergy friendly plants and trees like a lily, tulip, hibiscus, apple, cactus, iris, etc.

3. Consider Where the placement of Plants:

It is at times seen that plants which are allergy can trigger allergy due to the place where they are planted. Reduce placing flower pots outside your doors and on the window shelf. If you wish to buy natural flowers, purchase it from the florist as they often sell pollen-free flowers. Your garden flowers can increase pollen production when it comes in contact with dry and warm climate. If you have hedges, trim its branches as they are the pollen, dust, and mold carriers

4. Follow Precautions:

If you are allergic to gardening, it is essential to take proper precautionary measures. Take anti-allergy medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Wear protective attire including a face mask, gloves, glasses, full covered dress, and hat. This will reduce your contact with the pollen and dust and reduce the chance of allergy. After you are done with gardening, remember to take a shower and change your clothes.

Trim the grass, plants, and shrubs so that less amount of pollen merges with the air. Besides avoid using traditional mulch and wood chip ground covers, because they tend to retain moisture and increase the growth of molds. Replace it with gravel, plant ground cover, or oyster shells.

5.Remove unwanted plants:

While nurturing plants in your garden keep a check to maintain proper garden hygiene. Remove unwanted plants, fallen leaves which can induce the growth of molds. Also, avoid overwatering the plants as that can increase mold growth which can cause you allergy. This is mostly a precautionary measure during the fall.

6. Be wary of fragrant plants:

Apart from pollen grains, dust, and molds, the fragrance is also seen as a factor which can escalate allergy. If you have an allergy to the fragrance of flowers, avoid plants like rose and herbs like rosemary. The fragrance can cause you as much harm as the pollens.