Habitat assessment by kytnbabe

kytnbabe'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%.
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...)?: 
Mostly grass
Increase the number of flowering plants in your habitat. Think about using native plants.
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!
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 
7-9
Add 2-3 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
Does the garden use herbicides?: 
Yes.
Consider reducing your herbicide use and be sure it is an herbice that is not toxic to pollinators.
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: 161 (out of a possible 210)

Cottage garden flowers as foundation planting. Variety of narcissus and peony plants for early spring, red fescue, white clover and Bermuda grass lawn of about 1 acre bordered by pasture with fescue, clover, butterfly weed, passion vine and milkweed. Honeysuckle, Trumpet vine and wild Blackberries grow along most of fencing that formerly pastured cows and horses. Two of the fencerows also have wild grapevine and trees. Oak, Elm, Wild Cherry, Sassafras, Mulberry, Pecan, Thorn,Cedar and Autumn Olive are wild trees. We have one remaining Grimes Golden Apple tree, 4 Loblolly Pines, a Dogwood, a Red Oak and a Redbud tree in the yard. We also have Lilac bush, Althea bushes, Japanese Quince, Snowball Hydrangea, and a Double Flowering Almond. There are a variety of perennial flowers and vines, bulbs, annuals, and potted plants on all sides of the house in sun and some shade. We have several raised beds for vegetables and strawberries.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
4071 Kingston Rd, Fulton KY 42041, USA
How large is your yard?: 
1.00
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
Do you have native bunchgrasses?: 
Several areas or one large area.
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 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
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
No