Habitat assessment by EarthKin

EarthKin'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.
Is your nest block near a landmark like a rock?: 
No
Move your nest block if it isn’t getting much use. Bees are more likely to find a nest block if there is a visual clue.
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.
Did you clean or replace your nest block in the last two years?: 
No
Clean your nest block. You can just run a stick in each hole. This will reduce parasitism.
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 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!
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 the drift of pesticides controlled?: 
No.
Try to keep pesticides where you want them. Here are some suggestions.

Score: 153 (out of a possible 210)

We have close to 3 acres. About half of it is wooded, all natural with some fairly large trees. We have many oaks and a mix of hickory, pine, maple, hemlock, sassafras, sourwood, sumac and so on. We leave the brush piles and make more on the edges of the open areas. We have a large field (about an acre) that does get mowed but also where we have several garden plots. Four small plots are specifically for pollinators and just getting started providing host plants for monarchs, swallowtails, fritillaries and so on. Each year we add more pollinator plants but they are small and our garden is young. In a few years, it should be well established and full with a lot of diversity. I also plant a vegetable garden with sunflowers and companion plants/flowers. I generally see honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, moths and all kinds of birds including humming birds. I also keep honey bees, just two hives. I am having fun.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
Rocky Branch
How large is your yard?: 
2.50
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
Are there bee nesting blocks?: 
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
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.
Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?: 
Yes
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 pesticide use avoided when flowers are in bloom?: 
Pesticides are use only when there are no flowers in bloom