Lawn care: Best way to beat hay fever symptoms is to follow an essential mowing rule

Experts have said mowing your lawn once a week could greatly reduce the symptoms of hay fever this year. Hay fever is one of the most common allergies in the UK, with one in four people suffering from cold-like symptoms such as itchy eyes, a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. Symptoms increase in the garden, due to increased exposure to pollen.

Carlos Real, gardening expert and managing director of TotalLawn explained how to get your garden allergy-free.

How to avoid hay fever in your garden

Maintain your lawn

The grass is the number one suspect for your hayfever symptoms, according to the expert.

“Grass is the most common cause of hay fever as grass pollen scatters in the wind,” Carlos said.

“The best way to beat the symptoms is by mowing your lawn regularly (we’d recommend once a week) to prevent the grass from flowering, as it will produce less pollen.”

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Carlos said: “Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to allergens such as pollen and dust mites, so the key to making gardens allergy-friendly lies in selecting the right plants/trees.

“Wind-pollinated plants transfer light particles of pollen that are easily inhaled, whereas insect-pollinated plants produce heavier pollen that isn’t as easily airborne.

“It’s best to avoid planting trees like ash, oak, hazel, horse chestnut, and sycamore, and instead opt for plants with showy flowers like iris, delphinium, lobelia, and geranium – they’ll brighten up your garden too.

“Or, opt for a fruit tree, as apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees are amongst those with the lowest allergens.”

However, some flowers can be better for those with hay fever, making little to no pollen. They are:

Best plants for hay fever

• Begonias
• Daffodils
• Crocuses
• Geraniums
• Hostas
• Irises
• Lilies
• Pansy
• Roses
• Tulips
• Zinnias