Habitat assessment by vanhse15

vanhse15's picture
Assessment results
Answer givenOur 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.
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...)?: 
Other
Having a lot of native plants that flower in your habitat will really increase the quality of the habitat for bees.
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!
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 spring?: 
4-6
Add 4-6 more kinds of spring flowers.
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?: 
Five 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!

Score: 144 (out of a possible 210)

Our yard is 3.36 acres. It is mostly made up of trees and brush, with a bit of grass. Our property is also bordered by numerous native berry bushes and we have at least one mulberry tree. Last year, we planted a roughly 35x20 sq ft patch of mixed native wildflowers. Nothing gets sprayed directly with pesticides, however, we do spray our house 2x per year, which is located right next to the wildflower patch. We have spoken to the company that sprays & he does it before the wildflowers come up and after we mow them down.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
Home
How large is your yard?: 
3.36
acres
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
How much of the garden is planted with flowering annual or perennial plants (including shrubs, vegetables and trees)?: 
Most (more than 75%)
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.
Does the garden use herbicides?: 
No.
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
No