5 Ways to Garden Allergy-Free

Don’t let allergies get in the way of you enjoying your garden.  Because let’s face it, gardening has many benefits—a healthier body, nice looking yard, delicious fruits and veggies, and even improved mental and emotional health. But these benefits don’t outweigh the horrendous onset of the itchy eyes, continuous sneezing, and uncomfortable congestion. Luckily, there are ways to avoid the allergy onslaught.

1) Take the Proper Precautions

When you work in the yard, make sure you take the proper precautions. Use a natural nasal spray like Xlear to protect your nasal passages from allergens and maintain a healthy airway. It’s also always a good idea to wear an allergy mask and the appropriate clothing, even if that means a long sleeved shirt in the heat.

2) Timing

During allergy season, certain times of the day are better than others to venture outside. Depending on winds and other weather patterns, allergen amounts fluctuate day to day. Online resources like accuweather.com can tell you the best times to go outside by showing what pollens are more prominent and how severe the counts are. Pollen counts are often lower early in the morning, late afternoon, and evening.

Gardening after a rainstorm is also a good time to avoid allergies. A good rain can clean the air and lower the pollen count. However, some resources have found that pollen counts can rise after a brief thunderstorm.

3) Choose the Right Plants

Did you know that you can create an allergy-friendly garden? There are hundreds of plants, from snapdragons and big leaf hydrangeas, to elephant’s ears and persimmon trees, which are low-allergy. You can also ask your local nursery for the female trees—they produce berries or seeds but not pollen. Additionally, you can plant native plants in your yard. They are adapted to the environment and don’t struggle to flourish as much, leading to lower pollen production.

4) Landscape with the Right Materials

For landscaping, look for other options besides wood chips and mulch—especially if you’re allergic to mold. Though both look great in your yard, they retain more water, which can lead to more mildew and fungus. If you have hedges in your yard, keep them properly trimmed. Hedges tend to collect dust, mold, and pollen, especially if they are not pruned.

5) Cleanup in the Right Way

When you’re done, be sure to immediately rinse off in the shower and get the allergens off you’re body to avoid extending any reaction that may come despite all of your precautions. Also, as odd as it may sound, washing your nose is just as important as washing your body. When you garden, you breathe in harmful contaminants that will cause discomfort. The best way to clean the nose is through a natural nasal spray made with xylitol.