How to Garden with Allergies?
Creating a garden for allergy sufferers is possible. Working in such a garden can do without seasonal allergic reactions and hay fever. Find out how to garden with allergies.
Choosing the right time of day and weather
Each allergy sufferer reacts differently to various types of pollen, so it's essential to understand the right time to garden safely. The easiest way to avoid allergens is to use the pollen calendar of garden plants.
At what time of the day is the pollen concentration lowest?
Flowers with pollen appear on plants from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., making it impossible to find a time when allergenic pollen isn't floating in the air.
For instance, common dandelions produce the most nectar and pollen between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In contrast, rose hips develop their flowers with sunrise and close them only after sunset. Fruit trees bloom around the clock.
Therefore, it can be said that the only good time for allergy-free gardening is noon, especially on a warm and windless day. It is when the least allergenic pollen is found in the air.
It is related to the phenomenon of convection.
The warm air warms up during the day and rises and falls only in the late afternoon. In the morning, pollen rises into the upper atmosphere with the air current. Likewise, there is no allergenic pollen in the air before eight o'clock. Therefore, lunch is the most appropriate time in the garden.
In the afternoon and evening, however, the concentration of allergenic pollen is highest.
The impact of weather on pollen concentration
If you're one of the millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how frustrating it can be to enjoy the great outdoors without sneezing, coughing, and itching your eyes. But did you know that the weather can play a significant role in the severity of your allergy symptoms?
Warm air masses and pollen can create a perfect storm for those with allergies. On a humid, windless day, flowers tend to stay closed, which means less pollen is released into the air. However, on a hot, dry, and windy day, pollen can be lifted into the atmosphere, increasing the risk of allergic reactions.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to minimize your exposure to allergens while gardening. Avoid working in the garden during the early morning or late afternoon, when the pollen count is highest. Instead, try gardening during the middle of the day, when pollen counts tend to be lower. And when working with allergenic plants, try to limit the amount of movement, as this can release more pollen into the air. By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your garden without the dreaded allergy symptoms.
Is there an allergen-free season of the year?
The answer will be ambiguous if you wonder what season of the year is free from garden allergens. Depending on the geographic location and thus the occurrence of the seasons, allergic factors may change, decrease or intensify.
In general, plants during flowering produce hyper allergenic pollen. Therefore, in winter climates, you can avoid sensitization to pollen. In winter, molds or mites may cause allergies. You will also need help performing any gardening work during heavy winter.
In autumn, on the other hand, some plants actively dust, such as nettles, goldenrod, and ambrosia. The autumn weather is favorable for people who are allergic to grass pollen.
How to dress for the garden to reduce allergy symptoms?
Are you an allergy sufferer who loves gardening but hates the sneezing and itching that come with it? Don't let allergies get in the way of your green thumb! Here we have some tips to help you dress for the garden and minimize the risk of allergies.
Fabric
First, let's talk about fabric. It's no secret that allergenic pollen easily sticks to clothes, and the fluffier the fabric, the more pollen grains will stick to it. So, if you're allergic to pollen, it's best to avoid wool and knitted clothes. Instead, opt for Teflon fabrics that are light and dry quickly after washing. And remember to wear work clothes only in the garden and change them before entering the house to avoid bringing pollen inside.
Hair
Now, let's talk about hair. If you're allergic to pollen, avoid loosening your hair while gardening. Instead, tie it back and tuck it under a scarf or hat to prevent pollen from sticking to your hair. And don't forget to wash your hair after working in the garden to remove any pollen that may have gotten stuck to it. Taking a bath or shower right after working in the garden will also help remove any pollen residues on your skin or hair.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy gardening without worrying about allergies. So, put on your Teflon clothes, tie up your hair, and get ready to dig in!
Work in a garden and allergies
Suppose contact with garden allergens makes you allergic. In that case, it is always worth following a few simple rules that will help you avoid or minimize the occurrence of allergies.
Mowing the lawn and allergy
Lawn mowing is a necessary evil that we must do. When grass is cut, pollen is released into the atmosphere, causing allergy symptoms such as hay fever.
The mower blade blows away allergenic pollen and dust, so it's best to choose a damp, cloudy day for mowing your lawn.
Sometimes it is worth giving up the lawn for an allergy-friendly garden. It is worth turning it into hypoallergenic surfaces such as stone cladding or a path covered with gravel.
Trimming the hedge and allergies
Hedges and shrubs are an essential part of any garden, providing privacy and natural beauty. However, for allergy sufferers, they can be a source of misery due to the pollen they produce. Regular trimming of hedges and shrubs can lift pollen, exacerbating allergy symptoms.
To minimize exposure to allergenic pollen, it's best to consider hypoallergenic alternatives to traditional hedges. For example, you can opt for a wooden fence or a net planted with vines that don't require regular trimming. This will provide an effective barrier while reducing the risk of allergy symptoms.
Another great alternative for garden fences is retaining walls with maintenance-free plants like swarms. These plants will not only add natural beauty to your garden but also work as a protective fence against allergenic pollen. So, if you're an allergy sufferer, don't let sneezing keep you from enjoying a beautiful garden. Make the switch to hypoallergenic solutions and breathe easy while you garden.