Habitat assessment by sammisolomon

sammisolomon's picture
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.
Are there areas dead wood, brush piles or snags present?: 
No
Leave some dead wood, brush or snags in your habitat. Cavity nesting bees spend their winters in the holes found in these items.
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?: 
One smaller area.
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.
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)?: 
Some (25-50%)
Consider supplementing your garden with some native, pollinator friendly plants and converting some lawn!
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?: 
Some (25-50%)
Considering adding more pollinator friendly plants.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 
1-3
Add 4-6 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?: 
4-6
Add 2-3 more types of summer flowers to support summer bees.
How much mulch is on the ground?: 
Everywhere.
Ground nesting bees can't dig through mulch. Consider leaving some areas simply bare ground.
Does the garden use herbicides?: 
Yes, but I have confirmed they are not toxic to bees.
Consider reducing your herbicide use.
How many different pollinator counts will your contribute this year?: 
Ten or more.
We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks for contributing!

Score: 135 (out of a possible 210)

this habitat has been a very common dwelling for birds and bees in my area

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
My backyard
How large is your yard?: 
55.00
square yards
Are there areas with sandy loamy soil?: 
Yes
Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?: 
Yes
What is the main type of vegetation in the area you are evaluating (park, garden, yard, farm...)?: 
Native wildflowers
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 
10 or more
Are flowers planted in clumps?: 
Yes.
Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?: 
Yes
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
No