Habitat assessment by sporty88305

sporty88305'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 low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?: 
No
Set aside some areas for no tilling, plowing or turning over. Ground nesting bees nest anywhere from the top inches to several feet below the surface. Reducing disturbance allows those bees to survive to the next year.
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...)?: 
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 little. Between 5-20%.
Add a new garden or expand your current garden space. Every little bit helps.
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 spring?: 
1-3
Add 7 to 9 more kinds of spring flowers.
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?: 
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: 134 (out of a possible 210)

This is my first year 100% pesticide and herbicide free. All natural. I purchased all native plants except for my 3 tomato plants and packets of sunflowers. I live on a 1/4 acre family residence in a HOA. My answers took into consideration my Bermuda grass that I am trying to remove. I need help with this. 3 native plants were of each family species purchased from my LOCAL native plant society include the following which I purposely planned for seasonal blooming periods Spring, summer and fall

Spring Bloom period
Bignonia capreoleta Crossvine
Prunus serotina Black Cherry
Chionanthus virginicus Fringe Tree
Mid Bloom
Lobelia cardinales Cardinal Flower
Asaram canadese Canadian Wild Ginger
Monarda punctata Spotted Beebalm
Monarda Fistula Spotted Horsemint aka Wild Bergamont
Echinicea Purpea Purple Coneflower
Seeds packets of Zinnia, Cosmos, Purple Passion, butterfly weed
Late Bloom
Solidago Speciosa Showy Goldenrod
Symphyoctrichum novae-angliae New England Aster

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
Home
How large is your yard?: 
0.25
acres
Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?: 
Yes
Are there areas dead wood, brush piles or snags present?: 
Yes
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?: 
No