I have a gorgeous garden; the front lawns were replaced 6 years ago with mostly native drought resistant flowers and shrubs. The back yard has many levels of a great variety of flowers and flowering shrubs, including a terraced rockery garden, and a few raised vegetable lots. Some bees have already made a nest in a cement wall with a slowly rotting wood beam--they maybe the carpenter bees. I buy healthy plants mostly at Annie's Annuals & Perennials so I know they are not treated with toxic products and most of them are bee, hummingbird and butterfly friendly :).
Which garden or space are you describing?:
How large is your yard?:
0.25
acres
Are there areas with sandy loamy soil?:
Yes
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
Are there areas with pithy twigs (elderberry, cane fruit, sumac, etc…)?:
Yes
Do you have native bunchgrasses?:
Several areas or one large area.
Are there bee nesting blocks?:
Yes
Is your nest block near a landmark like a rock?:
Yes
Does your nest block have less than 20 holes?:
Yes
How much of the garden is planted with flowering annual or perennial plants (including shrubs, vegetables and trees)?:
Most (more than 75%)
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?:
Most (more than 75%)
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?:
10 or more
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?:
10 or more
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?:
10 or more
Are flowers planted in clumps?:
Yes.
How much mulch is on the ground?:
Some.
Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?:
Yes
Does the garden use herbicides?:
No.
Are pesticides used in the garden?:
No