Habitat assessment by Swarmchasers@yahoo.com | The Great Sunflower Project

Assessment results

Answer given	Our advice
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...)?: Mix of native and non-native plants	Increase the amount of native plants in your yard.
How much of the whole yard, park, farm or green space is garden space or wild/natural vegetation?: A lot. More than 40%.	You are doing a great job managing for pollinators!
How much of the garden is planted with flowering annual or perennial plants (including shrubs, vegetables and trees)?: A lot (51-75%)	Consider supplementing your garden with some native, pollinator friendly plants and converting some lawn!
Are flowers planted in clumps?: No.	Consider planting flowers in clumps. Bees are more likely to be attracted to larger patches of flowers of the same type.
How much mulch is on the ground?: Everywhere.	Ground nesting bees can't dig through mulch. Consider leaving some areas simply bare ground.
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: 172 (out of a possible 210)

We are one of 9 organic community gardens in the Long Beach, CA area. We have a small orchard with approx 12 fruit trees. A chicken coop and free range area through the orchard, currently housing 7 rescue hens with plans to expand. We have two healthy bee hives that produced approx 150 pounds of honey this past year. We have a medium sized fish pond, opossums, mice and feral cats. Doves, hummers, finches and a beautiful yellowish bird visits the garden frequently. And we do have our fair share of "pests" but beneficial insects too. We have a section of garden for ladybugs planted with lacy asparagus and fennel which is left undisturbed. We have a 10x10 native wildflower garden, a 10x20 butterfly garden, and a winding path bordered in herbs. I think we have 40 10x10 plots, many of which are (required) to be planted year round, even if that means a cover crop planting. We have wood piles, mulch piles and compost piles. It's a great place and sanctuary to many species!

Which garden or space are you describing?:

So40

How large is your yard?:

0.50

acres

Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?:

Yes

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

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

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?: