Habitat assessment by Jane Wiser | The Great Sunflower Project

Assessment results

Answer given	Our advice
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?: 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 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)?: A lot (51-75%)	Consider supplementing your garden with some native, pollinator friendly plants and converting some lawn!
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?: Some (25-50%)	Considering adding more pollinator friendly plants.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 7-9	Add 2 or 3 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.
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?: Just one.	We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!
What time of day are pesticides applied?: Pesticides are sometimes used during the day	Reduce your pesticide use and consider spraying only at night.

Score: 127 (out of a possible 210)

We live on a hill with California Live Oaks, rose and vegetable gardens, not great soil and are moving to more drought tolerant, native plants. I would like to get my Garden Club and family involved in the Sunflower Project.

Which garden or space are you describing?:

Home

How large is your yard?:

1.00

acres

Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?:

Yes

Are there areas with sandy loamy soil?:

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 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

If you use pesticides, do you avoid using neonicotinoid pesticides?:

Yes. I have checked that the pesticides we have do not include neonicotinoids.

Are pesticides used in the garden?:

Yes

Is pesticide use avoided when flowers are in bloom?:

Pesticides are use only when there are no flowers in bloom

Is the drift of pesticides controlled?:

Pesticide drift is controlled.