Don’t let allergies stop you from enjoying the garden this summer. Millions of people know only too well how exposure to certain plant pollens can trigger a runny nose, itchy eyes and other symptoms.

However, you can take steps to reduce these symptoms. By growing certain types of plants and avoiding others, you may reduce the overall levels of pollen in your garden.

In addition, you can protect yourself from allergy irritants by wearing the right clothes, gardening at the proper times and in the right places and exercising a little caution.

Pollen basics

Pollens are tiny grains released by bushes, grasses, trees and other plants. These grains contain the genetic material necessary for plants to reproduce. Many plants release pollen grains into the air during specific times of the year. In most areas of the country, this occurs between spring and fall.

Billions of pollen particles can be airborne at any given moment, and some travel from as far away as neighboring states before reaching your back yard. If you have allergies to these pollens, symptoms may be triggered when you inhale the particles from the air or your eyes come into contact with these spores.

While there is no way to eliminate pollens from your garden, growing certain types of plants and avoiding others can reduce the amount of such grains in the air. Some plants have very light pollens that travel easily through the air. When these are inhaled, allergy symptoms follow. Plants with small blooms and less color tend to have light, airborne pollens, such as weeds, grasses and some trees.