Avoid dusty areas of the landscape, and apply mulches to the bare sites. Irrigating no more than twice a week should provide adequate moisture for landscape plantings but reduce molds and fungal growths that cause allergies. Trim or pull weeds from plantings before the weeds flower. Better selections include crape myrtle, dogwood, loquat, magnolia, orchid tree, plum, redbud and tabebuia. Consider mowing twice a week during rapid growth and flower head production.
Many gardeners are sensitive to the smell of pesticides.
Control pests naturally by handpicking or using a natural pest control product. Eliminate one gardening chore and a potential high pollen producer with nonturf substitutes including Asiatic jasmine, liriope, mondo grass, English ivy and wedelia. Minimize gardening in early morning when most pollens are released. Avoid plants with contact irritant properties including poison ivy, burning nettle, Brazilian pepper and poinsettias. Prune trees and shrubs just before flowering to eliminate the pollen.