Don't Plant Sneezes this Spring

by Tina Samuels

Gardening would seem to go hand in hand with allergies. Over 35 million people have a form of hay fever. There are, however, tips and tricks to keep your garden blooming brightly without your nose glowing just as bright. Below are the easy ways to keep your allergies at bay, while creating a garden of splendor.

1) Keep airborne pollen at a distance. Some plants, especially the ones that are strong in color and fragrance, keep their pollen better than others. A good bet here is dogwoods and roses; flowers that are insect pollinated and not windborne. Windborne pollen tends to make the flowers less showy, so pick the most flamboyant flowers you can find and keep that pollen count down.

2) Make sure your lawn is the grass variety that needs to be over 6 inches to pollinate. Those lawns that pollinate below 6 inches can disperse between mowings and cause flare-ups in your allergies.

3) Consider gardening with a mask painter's use or with safety goggles. These will keep the irritants from getting into your airways as quickly than without. Also, if you are prone to skin allergies, make sure that you garden in long sleeves and pants. You may be warmer, but your skin will stay clear.

4) Recognize the triggers and when they will pollinate. Trees start first; pollinating February through May. Grasses follow; pollinating May to July. Mold spores will peak in spring and in fall.

5) Keep an eye out on the weather. A little known pollen fact is that the pollen count increases right before a thunderstorm. So if the weatherman says one is headed your way, you may want to postpone that planting or weeding till its over.

Gardening with allergies can be a bit tricky, but with patience and perseverance, you can overcome the obstacles and still have the prettiest plot in the neighborhood.

SIDEBAR

Trees to avoid for people with allergies
Alder, Cottonwood, Olive, Ash, Cypress, Palm, Aspen, Elm, Pecan, Beech, Hickory, Poplar, Birch, Juniper, Sycamore, Box, Elder, Mulberry, Walnut, Cedar, Oak, Willow

Allergy safe plants and trees
Apple, Plum, Crocus, Hydrangea, Phlox, Azalea, Roses, Daffodil, Impatiens, Salvia, Boxwood, Dahlia, Iris, Snapdragon, Alyssum, Daisy, Lilac, Sunflower, Dogwood, Begonia, Tulip, Lily, Geranium, Verbena, Magnolia, Hosta, Pansy, Zinnia, Hyacinth, Petunia, Columbine, Pear, Clematis

-Tina Samuels

Tina Samuels lives in Rome, GA and is a member of the Georgia Botanical Society and the Georgia Native Plant Society. She is currently finishing up her second book, A Georgia Native Plant Guide, due out fall of 2005.