Mr. T pities the fool with seasonal tree pollen allergies
If you've been experiencing allergy problems here in DC I think I've figured out the culprit. American Linden or Basswood trees are currently pumping out huge amounts of pollen. While I'm only experiencing itchy eyes, a lot of my friends are turning into overmedicated walking snotbags. Every time I ride underneath one of these trees, I can feel the air literally thicken as I bike through the pollen cloud. They're also the ones that will eventually produce those inverted helicopter seeds that have 1 to 3 berries hanging from them.
I somehow got subscribed to Mayor Fenty's news listserv, but there were some useful lawn tips from the DC Department of the Environment for being a good mower and minimizing environmental impact on a crop that is never really harvested:
- Use a sharp blade. This reduces tearing and is better for the grass.
- Raise the height of your mower blade to 2.5-3 inches and do not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade.
- Longer grass will require less watering and have increased resistance to many insects and diseases.
- Leave the clippings on the lawn. The clippings act as a natural fertilizer and reduce the need for additional fertilizer applications.
- Aeration helps water and nutrients to penetrate deeper in to the soil.
- Consider a push mower. Gas-powered mowers cause pollution and are getting more expensive to operate.
In other DC environmental news, an evil drain in a fountain at the National Museum of the American Indian has been eating helpless ducklings.
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Manually-powered rotary blade mowers are also better for the grass, since they cut the blade cleanly, and are completely emissions-free, but you have to be maniacal about keeping up with the growth, as they can't cut tall grass well. I'm currently in the market for an electric mower, since what lawn I have is close enough to mow with an extension cord attached and it's also far less polluting (and cheaper) than a gas mower.
We purchased a battery-electric mower 7 years ago, maybe 8 by now. Anyway, it does our small yard and the neighbor's on a single charge. I sharpen the blade annually. Otherwise, it's maintenance and worry free.
I have clients who live across from the house where Mr. T cut down all the trees. He's gone, the trees are gone, and the estate looks totally bare..even now. It was a sad day when that happened.
Linden flowers also make excellent tea, that, according to the more Eastern Europeans, is good for what ails you...i.e.: colds, allergies, etc. Sort of makes sense in a homeopathic kinda way.
When I was visiting the family in Michigan I was surprised to see all of the adverts for chemicals to kill those evil, horrible dandelions in your lawn. What.The.Fuck. Dandelions are a cute little yellow flower.
Linden trees may be producing lots of pollen, but I love their fragrance. Ours will not be in bloom for a few weeks yet.