Low-allergy GARDENS

All the fun of growing - with fewer sniffles

- CHRIS MORLEY

Drop the count 

The start of hay-fever season is particularly tough for anyone who suffers from it and loves spending time in the garden. The culprit is pollen, particularly the airborne variety that's easily blown around and ends up in our eyes and noses. While it's impossible to completely avoid it, planting and design tweaks can reduce exposure and make gardening a more enjoyable experience all year round.

Know your triggers

Find out what sets off your sneezes by checking flowering times. Wind-pollinated tree pollen is an early trigger, with hazel and birch flowering from January to April. Next come grasses, which peak from May to July, followed by flowering perennials, including wild nettles and plantain.