This weekend, for many of us, will simply be enjoyed as a couple of relaxing days in the sun. However, for the 13 million people who suffer from hay fever in the UK, it could be an itchy, eye-watering, runny-nose-stimulating nightmare.
If this accurately describes most of your summer days, we have seven easy tips that can help ease the sneezing in your own garden.
Money.co.uk has worked together with gardening expert Jackie Herald to share her low-allergen gardening tips. These simple suggestions will hopefully ease some of the symptoms of hay fever. So you can relax peacefully in your garden this summer.
Low-allergen gardening tips
1. Aim to garden at midday
Image credit: David Brittain
If you are a keen gardener but suffer from hay fever, aim to do all your planting and trimming around midday.
‘Pollen levels are at their highest at the beginning of the day, as they rise with the warming air, and again at the end of the day when it’s cooling down,’ explains Jackie. She advises sticking to between 12 pm and 4 pm.
2. Keep the lawn short
‘Keep the lawn short during the summer months,’ advises Jackie. ‘This helps to prevent the growth of lawn flowers.’ It is these flowers that release grass pollen into the air, triggering hay fever.
3. Avoid planting wind-pollinated vegetable crops
Wind-pollinated crops such as sweetcorn and peas can be a nightmare for gardeners suffering from hay fever. ‘Instead look to plant leafy greens and root vegetables, such as lettuce and beetroot,’ suggests Jackie.
Image credit: Polly Eltes
4. Plant fruit trees
Apple, cherry, rowan and juneberry trees are great to plant if you or anyone in your household suffers from hay fever. They are low-allergy and will look gorgeous all year round, offering blossom in spring, fruit in summer and amber leaves in autumn.
5. Build natural barriers with hedges
Image credit: Polly Eltes
‘Create natural barriers like hedges to capture and filter pollutants,’ says Jackie. ‘However, be wary of certain species of hedge. Yew, laurel, beech and hornbeam may all trigger hay fever.’
6. Take care when composting
Compost bins are a great way of recycling household waste. However, they can also act as a source of mould spores.
‘These are even finer than pollen and hold the risk of reaching deep into the respiratory system,’ explains Jackie. ‘Keep the bins well away from seating areas and ensure you cover them up, as well as using gloves when handling them.’
7. Be thoughtful about your garden seating layout
Image credit: Colin Poole
‘Ensure your garden seating is well away from the more allergenic pollen sources and any potential mould spores,’ says Jackie.
While it can be tempting to arrange your garden furniture under the shade of a tree, if it is alder, hazel or birch your hay fever won’t thank you. Instead, position your chairs on a patio or decking with an umbrella.
Related: Expert reveals 9 simple ways to reduce allergens in the home
Will you be trying out any of these low-allergen gardening tips?
