Habitat assessment by SunflowerSanctuary for Sunflower Sanctuary

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...)?: Other	Having a lot of native plants that flower in your habitat will really increase the quality of the habitat for bees.
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?: 1-3	Add 4-6 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
Does the garden use herbicides?: Yes, but I have confirmed they are not toxic to bees.	Consider reducing your herbicide use.
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: 132 (out of a possible 210)

I wish there was somewhere I could add photos. I have a sunflower garden in Ashland, MA, USA, that totals about 50 square yards, called Sunflower Sanctuary. There are many many sunflower plants of many varieties. Currently blooming are several Busy Bee small flowers (no real bee activity), and one Dwarf Sunspot flower, which has been seeing active bee visitations all day every day since it started to bloom on 7/23/19. I am not sure of the type of some of the bees. There are many buds on the other plants that will be opening soon. This is the third year I've had the garden and it is active with bees, butterflies, and dragonflies all summer. The Moulin Rouge variety is starting to bloom now. This is the first year I've had it so I don't know its bee appeal. This update was posted 7/26/19. JSMT Sunflower Sanctuary.

Which garden or space are you describing?:

Sunflower Sanctuary

How large is your yard?:

0.54

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

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 summer?:

10 or more

Are flowers planted in clumps?:

Yes.

How much mulch is on the ground?:

None.

Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?:

Yes

Are pesticides used in the garden?: