Allergies in the Garden

Reprinted with permission by Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC).  CHEC is a national nonprofit organization working to educate parents and others about preventable health and environmental problems caused by exposure to toxic substances.  

Gardening is a wonderful activity to share with children. It's an opportunity to teach them about ecology and instill in them an appreciation of the natural world. But if you or your kids suffer from allergies and/or asthma, the garden may seem like the worst place to go. Pollens from trees, grasses and weeds can trigger sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, wheezing, coughing, sore throats and headaches. The good news is that with proper planning and preventative steps, allergies won't keep you out of the garden.

More than 35 million Americans suffer from allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). Seasonal allergies are often called hay fever. An allergic reaction happens when the immune system overreacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen, dust or molds. Typically, an allergic reaction includes symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.

Allergens can also irritate the lungs, triggering asthma, a condition of overly sensitive airways. When an asthmatic's lungs are irritated by allergens, the airways become narrower, which makes breathing difficult.

In fact, having allergies or being overexposed to allergens is a risk factor for developing asthma, so it's a good idea to take care of your child's allergies before they become more serious. Allergies tend to run in families, too. If you have allergies, there's a good chance that your children will develop allergies as well.

The first step to take if you suspect allergies is to see a doctor and find out what you are allergic to. This will help you know what you should avoid. The charts below lists some common plants repsonsible for allergies and some better alternatives.

When are pollens and other allergens most active?

The most common outdoor allergen is pollen. In our gardens and yards, trees, grasses and weeds are responsible for most allergies. They have smaller, dry pollens that float through the air. Plants with bright flowers attract bees and other insects to carry away their larger, waxy pollen. (There are many indoor allergens, too — read more about those in What Breeds Between the Walls: Allergens and Asthma Triggers.)

Pollen is most plentiful during spring through fall, but each type of plant has its own season. Trees generally release pollen early in the spring and pollinating grasses are active during late spring and early summer. Weeds are most often responsible for late summer and fall hay fever. Pollinating seasons vary slightly from region to region, as well. The National Allergy Bureau, part of AAAI, has helpful seasonal allergy maps.

Most plants release pollen in the early morning, between 5 and 10 am, so avoid gardening activities during these hours. By late afternoon, pollen is higher in the sky but there may be more of it.

Weather conditions can also affect pollen levels. The worst conditions for allergy sufferers are sunny, dry and windy days. Cool or cloudy days are better for gardening. When it's wet, damp or humid, pollen is less likely to be floating in the air. However, molds may be more active in this kind of weather.

Molds and fungus are common allergens in the garden. They can grow and release allergenic spores throughout the year, but are most problematic during late summer and fall. Some common places to find molds outside are in compost and bark mulch. Dead leaves under shrubs can harbor molds.

Keeping track of daily pollen and mold counts during peak seasons is also helpful. The National Allergy Bureau, posts daily pollen and mold counts by state, which measure the average number of pollen grains per cubic meter of air. Pollen.com provides pollen count information by zip code, and tells you which plants are most active. On days when pollen counts are high, it may be best to stay indoors.

Gardening with Allergies: Helpful Tips

• When you work in the garden, protect yourself. Wear gloves, long sleeves, glasses (goggles, even) and a hat.
• Wear a paper dust mask while mowing the lawn to reduce your exposure to pollens that are stirred up by the mower.
• Reserve one pair of shoes and perhaps one outfit exclusively for gardening. Leave these shoes outside, along with all gardening tools.
• Wash your clothes and take a shower (be sure to wash your hair, too) immediately after gardening to keep allergens out of the house.
• Plant native plants instead of large lawns. Native plants are suited to their regions and are easier to care for. They don't need fertilizers or pesticides, either. Grass requires a lot of attention and puts out a lot of pollen.
• Root out weeds early to prevent them from reaching maturity and releasing their pollen.
• Don't plant allergy-inducing plants near the house. The charts below have information about plant allergenicity. Also avoid flowers with strong fragrances, which can also trigger asthma and allergy-like symptoms.
• Allergy-sufferers should not turn the compost or otherwise work with it too closely, as it may contain mold spores. Or they should use a dust mask to avoid breathing in the mold.
• People with mold allergies should also avoid working with wet mulch or straw, raking leaves, using power blowers and mowing grass.
• Don't overwater indoor plants. Soggy soil or water sitting in a drainage tray creates ideal conditions for mold growth.

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Resources:

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology has pictures of plants that produce a lot of pollen, in addition to the information mentioned above.

Allergy Plants by Mary Jelks, MD (World Publications, December 1994)

Horticulturist Thomas Ogren has developed a system that rates plants on their allergenicity. He also explores the over-planting of male trees in urban areas and the effect they have on allergies. His books on the subject are:

• Safe Sex in the Garden: And Other Propositions for an Allergy-Free World , by Thomas Leo Ogren (Ten Speed Press, March 2003)
• Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping by Thomas Leo Ogren (Ten Speed Press, June 2000)

For more information, visit CHEC at checnet.org.