Habitat assessment by peggy.beltramo@yahoo.com

Assessment results

Answer given	Our 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%.
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?: Some. Between 21-40%.	Consider expanding your gardens and wild spaces and reducing your lawn.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 4-6	Add 4-6 more kinds of spring flowers.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 7-9	Add 2-3 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?: 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: 180 (out of a possible 210)

The latest information I have read refers to NOT providing clean water. See Dr. Casey's blog for information.
http://www.ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=26345
Congratulations on the article in Horticulture Magazine. I have been a participant for years! I have committed to 10 counts this year. Now to go start my lemon queen sunflower seeds...
Peggy Beltramo, Placer County Master Gardener

Which garden or space are you describing?:

Mimi's Garden

How large is your yard?:

400.00

square yards

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 there bee nesting blocks?:

Yes

Is your nest block near a landmark like a rock?:

Yes

Does your nest block have less than 20 holes?:

Yes

Did you clean or replace your nest block in the last two years?:

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%)

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?: