Habitat assessment by christineharris

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Assessment results
Answer givenOur 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.
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 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 fall?: 
4-6
Add 3-4 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
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?: 
Just one.
We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!
What time of day are pesticides applied?: 
Pesticides are sometimes used during the day
Reduce your pesticide use and consider spraying only at night.
Is pesticide use avoided when flowers are in bloom?: 
Pesticides are sometime used while flowers are blooming
Consider spraying pesticides only when flowers are not in bloom.

Score: 133 (out of a possible 210)

There are numerous garden spaces planted with perennials and flowering shrubs and trees, both shade and sun.
There is an herb and vegetable garden.
There are numerous container plantings with annuals on the deck.
Only products approved for organic gardening are used as fertilizer, and a single pesticide- Captain Jacks Dead Bug Spray.
Many polllinators have been observed: hummingbirds, cabbage white butterflies, swallowtail butterflies, honey bees, carpenter bees, bumble bees; other species of bees and wasps that I am unsure about.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
torreys lane
How large is your yard?: 
0.66
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
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 
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.
If you use pesticides, do you avoid using neonicotinoid pesticides?: 
Yes. I have checked that the pesticides we have do not include neonicotinoids.
Does the garden use herbicides?: 
No.
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
Yes
Is the drift of pesticides controlled?: 
Pesticide drift is controlled.