Habitat assessment by ZiggyMae for Garden: ZiggyMae (Louisville)

Assessment results

Answer given	Our advice
Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?: No	Consider increasing the amount of bare ground. Ground nesting bees are more likely to nest where there is bare ground.
Are there areas with sandy loamy soil?: No	Consider increasing the amount of sandy loamy soil. Ground nesting bees often prefer sandy loamy soil as it is easier to dig and drains well. Sandy loam is made up of 10-50% silt or organic matter, 50-75% sand, and less than 20% clay. So if you have 15% sand in your existing soil, you will need to add enough sand to make it at least 50%. If you have 30% clay, you will need to add enough of the sand or compost to bring that percentage down to less than 20%.
Are there areas with pithy twigs (elderberry, cane fruit, sumac, etc…)?: No	Add some plants that have pithy stems to your habitat. Cavity nesting bees spend their winters in the center of the stems of these plants.
Do you have native bunchgrasses?: None.	Increase the amount of bunch grass in your yard. Many bees nest and overwinter at the base of these grasses.
Are there bee nesting blocks?: No	Supplement your habitats with nest blocks. Learn how to build them here.
What is the main type of vegetation in the area you are evaluating (park, garden, yard, farm...)?: Mostly non-native plants including vegetables	Shift some of your non-native plants to natives.
How much of the whole yard, park, farm or green space is garden space or wild/natural vegetation?: Some. Between 21-40%.	Consider expanding your gardens and wild spaces and reducing your lawn.
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?: A lot (51-75%)	Considering adding more pollinator friendly plants.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 4-6	Add 4-6 more kinds of spring flowers.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 1-3	Add 4-6 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
How much mulch is on the ground?: Everywhere.	Ground nesting bees can't dig through mulch. Consider leaving some areas simply bare ground.
Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?: No	Consider adding a water element. This can be as simple as a bowl with some rocks thrown in for bees to stand on while drinking.
How many different pollinator counts will your contribute this year?: More than one.	We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!

Score: 122 (out of a possible 210)

I was late planting my seeds this year. I did not get a chance to purchase seeds from Renee's Garden so I purchased organic lemon queen sunflower seeds from a local garden supply store. The plants are about a foot tall now but it will be a while before they bloom. In addition to the sunflowers I've planted cosmos, zinnias and phlox. I have patch of milkweed currently blooming and the bees are loving it. In addition I've planted butterfly weed. I've combined my Great Sunflower Project with Monarch Watch

Which garden or space are you describing?:

Garden: ZiggyMae (Louisville)

How large is your yard?:

200.00

square yards

Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?:

Yes

Are there areas dead wood, brush piles or snags present?:

Yes

How much of the garden is planted with flowering annual or perennial plants (including shrubs, vegetables and trees)?:

Most (more than 75%)

How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?:

10 or more

Are flowers planted in clumps?:

Yes.

Does the garden use herbicides?:

No.

Are pesticides used in the garden?: