Habitat assessment by ann.s.hobbie@gmail.com | The Great Sunflower Project

Assessment results

Answer given	Our 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 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 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.
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?: Some. Between 21-40%.	Consider expanding your gardens and wild spaces and reducing your lawn.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 4-6	Add 3-4 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?: 7-9	Add 1-2 more types of summer flowers to support summer bees.
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: 128 (out of a possible 210)

I do not use pesticides or herbicides on my garden. My husband uses pesticides on ants that nest next to concrete close to our house. He also uses herbicide (Weed Be Gone) on spots in the lawn that contain creeping charlie.

Which garden or space are you describing?:

1209 Portland Ave, St. Paul MN

How large is your yard?:

400.00

square yards

Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?:

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

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

Does the garden use herbicides?:

No.

Are pesticides used in the garden?: