Habitat assessment by TheDailyGarden.us for The Coop

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%.
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...)?: 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 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 much mulch is on the ground?: Everywhere.	Ground nesting bees can't dig through mulch. Consider leaving some areas simply bare ground.
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: 155 (out of a possible 210)

My front and back yards are both foodscapes that feature mixed plantings of native and non-native edibles and ornamentals. Bottlebrush provides year round nectar, and flowering vegetables are permitted to go to seed at the end of their growing season. Our "lawn" is standard sod mixed with oregano, mint, and curly endive.

Which garden or space are you describing?:

The Coop

How large is your yard?:

0.20

acres

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 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.

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?: