The grass worst for allergies is bermuda grass, with ryegrass close behind. Both pump out huge amounts of light pollen that wind carries for miles. If your eyes burn and your nose runs each spring, one of these two is most likely the cause of your misery.
I track my own allergy flare-ups through the season. The worst weeks line up with bermuda pollen every year. My symptoms peak in May and June when bermuda hits its stride. A second wave hits in September when fall ryegrass starts to grow. The gap between these two spikes gives me my only real break from grass pollen allergies all year.
Wind does all the heavy lifting for these grasses. Bermuda produces billions of pollen grains per acre during peak months. Each grain is just 25 to 30 microns wide. That's small enough to float on the lightest breeze for hours. Your nose and eyes catch these tiny bits without you seeing a thing in the air.
Bahia grass falls in the moderate range for grass pollen allergies. It makes less pollen than bermuda does. But those tall Y-shaped seed heads still bother people who are sensitive. Mow your bahia every 5 to 7 days in summer to cut seed heads before they open up and release pollen into the air around your home.
St. Augustine and zoysia are the best low allergy lawn grass picks for your yard. Both types spread through runners instead of pollen. That means far less airborne dust floating around your home. Zoysia keeps pollen output near zero since it fills in through ground-level growth only. If anyone in your home suffers from bad grass allergies, these two types give you the least grief.
You can also cut your exposure with a few easy habits. Mow in the late afternoon when pollen counts drop for the day. Wear a mask while you cut the grass. Shower and swap your clothes right after yard work so you don't bring pollen inside your house.
Check your local pollen count each morning and plan outdoor time for low-count days when you can. Keep your windows closed during peak grass pollen season and run your AC with a clean filter. These small steps won't cure your allergies, but they cut your worst symptoms down to a level you can live with all summer long.
Read the full article: Bahia Grass: A Complete Growing Guide
