How’s It Growing: Ah, Summer! What a Lovely Seaaaachoo!

If the beauty of Summer brings you to tears, and sneezing, and congestion, you're not alone. There are an estimated 35 million people who suffer from seasonal allergies and it can take a lot of the fun out of the Summer.

However, there are several preventative measures that can help you enjoy your summer activities:

• Stay indoors when it's especially dry and windy outside.
• Wear a mask when mowing the lawn or ask someone else to do it.
• After mowing, remove your clothing and shower, to prevent the pollen from spreading in your home.
• Don't hang bed linens out to dry, pollen will cling to them.
• Use your air conditioning, changing the filter regularly.

Gardening with allergies can be a challenge, too. Though you may be suffering, your landscape shouldn't.

Here are some plant ideas that are "allergy-friendly":

For flowers, try begonias, columbine, roses, and snapdragons. Hydrangeas and boxwood are two shrubs that won't aggravate your symptoms. And apple, cherry, dogwood, and magnolia trees won't send you in search of a tissue box.

Getting out in your garden on days with high pollen counts may not always be comfortable. Moving your garden tasks to later in the afternoon or to cool, cloudy days, may give you some relief.

However, most gardeners would probably go out, no matter what, and just carry extra Kleenex!