It used to be true that asthmatics were better off avoiding gardens completely. Fortunately, you don’t have to throw out your pruning shears yet. If you’re living with asthma but still want to reap the rewards of a backyard or community garden, there are a few ways you can do it.
15 Gardening Tips For Asthmatics
1. Keep The Grass Low
Health experts advise keeping grass no higher than two inches. Believe it or not, grass is the primary culprit for spreading pollen. If you like having grass, three asthma-friendly options are St. Augustine, female cultivars of buffalo grass, and male-sterile hybrid Bermuda grasses.
2. Avoid Fragrant Plants
Highly fragrant plants like pine, maple, lilies, and sweet peas can trigger your asthma. Better options include apple, dogwood, and pear.
3. Choose Female Trees
The good thing about female trees is that they don’t spread pollen. Another option is to plant sterile male trees.
4. Reconsider Hedges
Though hedges can look nice, they’re also known for collecting debris that can trigger your asthma. It’s best to cut them down. If you like shrubs, consider azalea, hibiscus, or hydrangea.
5. Replace Grass With Gravel
If it’s possible, you can replace the grass in your garden with gravel so you don’t have to deal with it at all. Other options include oyster shells or plant groundcovers, like vinca or pachysandra.
RELATED: 10 Easy-to-grow Plants to Start Your Garden
6. Wear A Mask
The experts recommend wearing a NIOSH-approved face mask, hat, glasses, gloves, and a long-sleeve shirt when you’re gardening. Doing this should significantly reduce your exposure to pollen.
7. Choose Bee-Pollinated Plants
The pollen from bee-pollinated plants is usually heavier so it won’t easily bother your asthma. You can spot these plants from their large, bright flowers that are meant to attract bees.
8. Choose The Right Mulch
It’s a good idea to choose inorganic mulch over organic ones. That’s because the organic mulch can
