Gardening & house plants - what to do when you have hay fever?

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, usually when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Pollen is a fine powder from plants. Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. In Ireland, the weed and grass pollen season begins in April. Hay fever may last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks. You can actually view the pollen levels here https://www.met.ie/forecasts/pollen .

But I love gardening, what can I do to still enjoy it?

If you suffer with hay fever you may feel that tending to a garden is not feasible and something to be avoided. However, that is not the case. Choosing allergy friendly plants is a great way to enjoy all the benefits of gardening without the sneezing or sniffling associated with being allergic to garden plants. There are several allergy free alternatives you can use in the garden.

Trees with showy flowers are preferred in anti-allergy gardens. The following low or no allergen trees include:

·       Apple

·       Crabapple

·       Cherry

·       Pear

·       Plum

·       Dogwood

·       Magnolia

Apple Tree

Shrubs to include in your allergy friendly garden may consist of the following:

·       Hydrangea

·       Azalea

·       Rhododendron

·       Viburnum

·       Boxwood

·       Hibiscus

Hydrangea

Flowers - Many herbaceous plants are deemed to be okay for use as allergy friendly plants and include:

·       Daffodil

·       Tulip

·       Daisy

·       Geranium

·       Impatiens

·       Iris

·       Daylily

·       Pansy

·       Petunia

·       Rose

·       Sunflower

·       Zinnia

Sunflower

Can I still keep house plants if I or someone in my home has hay fever?

Some house plants are known to clean the air and none of them produce excess pollen to make allergies worse. It is important to note that all house plants can be dust catchers so it is important that you wipe down the plant leaves with a damp cloth or paper towel once a week. You should also be aware that over watering your house plant can encourage mould which can have a very negative reaction for those living with hay fever and allergies. To avoid this only water the soil in houseplants for allergies when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about the first inch or so (2.5 cm.).

Peace Lily

Hay fever tips

You can make your garden allergy friendly, however there will still be pollen in the air from neighboring gardens and plants. Here are some tips for managing it:

• Do not go outside on days when the pollen count is extremely high.

• It is best not to garden on days when the wind is strong. Cool, wet days also help keep pollen levels low.

• It helps to avoid trees and shrubs while they are in bloom and absent of leaves or are beginning to grow.

• Wear lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs, as well as a hat and sunglasses, to provide protection from flying pollen.

• If your garden is surrounded by grass, be sure to keep the grass cut very low to inhibit seeds.

• Wetting down grass before gardening, or edging your garden area with stones will help keep allergens at bay too.

Don’t let hay fever get in the way of your love of gardening or house plants.

Why not enrich your garden further with our new Nature Safe range. Kind to nature, great for your garden. Learn more here.

Information sources : www.hse.ie , www.gardeningknowhow.com, www.met.ie/forecasts/pollen