Techniques for Gardening to Alleviate Aggravation of Hay Fever Symptoms

Gardening with Hayfever in Mind: A Guide

Hayfever is a frustrating affliction, especially if you're a gardening enthusiast. The primary culprit behind this misery is inhaling pollen, released from plants during their reproductive cycle. To help those suffering from hayfever, here's a practical guide to creating a soothing, allergen-friendly garden.

Pollen comes in various forms, mainly from wind-pollinated and insect-pollinated plants. The former, being lightweight and in huge quantities, is most likely to trigger hayfever symptoms. According to Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, Senior Palynologist and Pollen Forecaster at the University of Worcester, wind-pollinated plants like grass and silver birch are the main culprits for hayfever sufferers.

However, don't despair, there are solutions! By deliberately choosing plants that produce minimal pollen or are pollinated by insects, you can create a serene garden that suits your allergies.

Allergy-Friendly Plants

Embrace the following plants that are friendly for hayfever sufferers, as they either produce minimal pollen or are insect-pollinated:

Flowers:- Lilac- Daisy- Geranium- Dahlia- Hibiscus- Iris (including beardless varieties)- Roses- Snapdragon- Tulips- Orchids and Gerberas (also recommended as cut flowers)

Trees:- Cherry- Crepe Myrtle- Redwood- Apple- Dogwood- Pear- Plum- Almond- Apricot- Lillypilly- Citrus species- Crab Apples- Pincushion Hakea- Willow Myrtle- Maidenhair tree- Old Man Banksia- Prunus species- Peppermint Gum

Climbers:- Climbing Roses- Geraniums- Kiwi Fruit- Passionfruit- Star Jasmine- Trumpet Vine- Wonga Vine- Crimson Passionflower

Herbs:- Basil- Chives- Dill- Fennel- Horseradish- Marjoram- Mint- Oregano- Parsley- Rosemary- Sage- Summer Savoury- Tarragon- Thyme (avoid chamomile and wormwood)

Ground Covers:- Kidney Weed- Lobelia- Hibbertia- Native Violet- Pratia- Pelargoniums- Rose Baeckia- Snow in Summer- Tea tree- Thyme (prostrate)

These plants are generally low-allergenic, reducing symptoms due to their insect-pollination process or minimal pollen release[1][2]. To further alleviate symptoms, employed these practical tips:

Hayfever-Alleviating Strategies

Guard your face and skin: Wear a face mask, like those used during the pandemic, and wraparound sunglasses to block pollen from reaching your eyes. Protective gear can prevent symptoms like itchy, red eyes. Additionally, wear a wide-brimmed hat while gardening to shield your nose and eyes from pollen. Showering after gardening or before bed can help decrease pollen exposure on your skin, hair, and clothes.
Eliminate grasses: Grass is a significant source of pollen that affects the majority of hayfever sufferers. For ornamental grasses, their peak season is June and early July, but all plants will release pollen between mid-April and September. Remove any grasses from your garden to reduce the overall allergen burden and help your neighbours as well.
Mow frequently: Regularly mowing your lawn can deter grass from flowering and producing pollen, thus reducing symptoms. Using a face mask when mowing is advised to protect yourself from any pollen that may rise during the process.
Avoid peak pollen hours: Pollen normally peaks between 5am-10am and in the evening between 5 pm and 8 pm. Spend your gardening time during periods with lower pollen counts to minimize symptoms. Pollen counts are highest on bright, sunny days, so opt for cloudier days when possible[3].
Choose insect-pollinated plants: Select plants that are insect-pollinated instead of those reliant on wind for pollination, such as grasses, silver birch trees, alder, oak, hazel, lime, and plane.
Plant barriers around your garden: A hedge can help block wind and pollen, but it's essential to choose insect-pollinated plants for your hedge, such as laurel or holly, or plant tall, non-allergenic trees around your boundaries.

Worst Offenders to Avoid

The most notorious allergens are wind-pollinated plants, which produce high amounts of lightweight pollen and usually have insignificant flowers. To achieve a comfortable gardening experience, it's best to avoid these plants:

Grasses: a renowned offender for triggering hayfever in up to 95% of sufferers.
Trees: silver birch trees affect around 25% of hayfever sufferers. Other trees to avoid include alder, oak, hazel, lime, and plane.
Weeds: Like nettle, mugwort, dock, fat hen, and plantain. These trigger symptoms in a small minority of hayfever sufferers[4].

By intelligently selecting plants and following these tips, you can create a tranquil, allergen-free garden that lets you enjoy nature without the misery of hayfever. Happy gardening!

Footnotes

[1] Hayfever Help (n.d.). Low Pollen and No Pollen Plants for People with Hayfever. Retrieved August 29, 2023, from https://www.hayfeverhelp.co.uk/low-pollen-and-no-pollen-plants-for-people-with-hayfever.asp

[2] National Pollen Council (2011). Garden plants: guide to those which are helpful or harmful to Hay Fever sufferers. Retrieved August 29, 2023, from https://www.pollen.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/plants_2011FINAL.pdf

[3] Met Office (2023). What is pollen? Retrieved August 29, 2023, from https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/pollen/what-is-pollen

[4] Asthma UK (2021). Common hay fever triggers: in the garden. Retrieved August 29, 2023, from https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/hay-fever/common-hay-fever-triggers-in-the-garden/

Incorporating home-and-garden choices that cater to a hayfever-friendly lifestyle, consider planting allergy-friendly plants such as lilacs, roses, and daisies which are low in pollen or insect-pollinated.

By strategically employing suggestions like wearing protective gear, moving grasses, and avoiding peak pollen hours, one can effectively alleviate hayfever symptoms while gardening at home.