10 Tips for the Asthmatic Gardener

The blogs for the asthmatic gardener have been really popular so I offer 10 more tips for the upcoming planting season. Utilizing these tips may help prevent worsening your asthma symptoms. These 10 tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology can prevent seasonal allergies from worsening your asthma and keep you in the garden longer:

1. Think about limiting pollen producing shrubs and trees from your garden. You will be exposed to 10 times the amount of pollen with a pollen-producing tree in your own yard compared to the the same tree planted down the street.
2. Goggles and or pollen masks may prevent "mowing" allergies. If severe enough and you can afford it, it may be just better to have someone mow for you.
3. Try to eliminate flowering weeds.
4. Frequent watering can decrease the amount of molds and allergens that become airborne.
5. Consider using alternative mulches like fine gravel instead of straw mulching.
6. Common allergy producing plants that may worsen your asthma include: amaranthus, coneflower, crocus, elderberry, juniper, peony, poppy, and privet.
7. Plants that might be better for your asthma include: azalea, begonia, bougainvillea, cacti daffodil, daisy, dahlia, gladiola, Irish moss, iris, lily, marigold, narcissus, orchid, pansy, petunia, snapdragon, sunflower, tulip, violet, and zinnias.
8. Consider planting female trees in your yard to attract and then trap incoming airborne pollen from male plants.
9. If you have pets, keep them away from outside plants and trees. Pollen may get in your pets fur and in y our house increasing your exposure.
10. If you have high pollen-producing plants, keep them away from entrances to your home including doors and windows.