Habitat assessment by patti farris | The Great Sunflower Project

Assessment results

Answer given	Our advice
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%.
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.
Does your nest block have less than 20 holes?: No	Create a nest block with fewer holes. This will reduce parasitism and make it more likely bees will use it.
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 many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 4-6	Add 3-4 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?: 7-9	Add 1-2 more types of summer flowers to support summer bees.
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: 175 (out of a possible 210)

Mostly plants native to Oregon or California. A few plants left from previous owners, but most have been replace with natives. Pretty messy, but as one English gardener observed, "The bees do love a 'tatty' garden." Raised 52 Monarchs from egg to butterfly last year from a very small milkweed patch! Hope it happens again this year. My garden is abuzz with bees of all kinds throughout the year, though I do need to work on late summer offerings. Also I noticed more butterflies than normal last year; maybe the unusually warm weather was a factor?

Which garden or space are you describing?:

Garden: patti farris (Portlnad)

How large is your yard?:

300.00

square yards

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

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 there bee nesting blocks?:

Yes

Is your nest block near a landmark like a rock?:

Yes

Did you clean or replace your nest block in the last two years?:

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

Are flowers planted in clumps?:

Yes.

How much mulch is on the ground?:

None.

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?: