Gardening has seen a massive increase in popularity during the lockdown, as many people discover the benefits and joy spending time with nature can bring. However, for the 13 million British hay fever sufferers, spring and summer can be a challenge.
But there are ways to get out in the garden, and equip yourself with all the pots, plants, seeds, and essential gardening tools, and enjoy the garden without the pollen count getting up your nose. Follow our tips, and enjoy your garden this summer.
Maintaining the lawn and keeping it short will help prevent the growth of lawn flowers and reduce the grass pollen that is released into the air.
Ensure you have a diverse range of flowers in the garden. Flowers can have different months for blooming, so considered planting can give your garden a long-lasting visual impact, as well as supporting biodiversity.
Pollen levels are always higher in the morning as they rise with the warming air, and again in the evening when it begins to cool down. Keeping your gardening hours to between noon and 4 pm will help avoid exposure to excess pollen.
Composting is a fantastic way of reducing your waste, but compost bins can become a source of mould spores, which are finer than pollen and can reach deep into the respiratory system. Make sure any garden seating is well away from bins (as well as the more allergenic pollen sources), and that they’re covered up when not in use.
Many blooms are beneficial to bees and other insects. Generally, what is good for bees is good for us too. Prioritise insect-pollinated plants, many of which are bell, funnel or trumpet-shaped so that insects have to probe inside to reach the pollen.
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