Habitat assessment by cynicalbuddha

cynicalbuddha's picture
Assessment results
Answer givenOur advice
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...)?: 
Mostly non-native plants including vegetables
Shift some of your non-native plants to natives.
How much of the whole yard, park, farm or green space is garden space or wild/natural vegetation?: 
Not much. Less than 5%.
Add a flower garden to your habitat or let some part of it go wild.
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?: 
4-6
Add 4-6 more kinds of spring flowers.
How many different pollinator counts will your contribute this year?: 
More than one.
We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!

Score: 152 (out of a possible 210)

The majority of the yard is mowed grass consisting of many hardy alaskan grass varieties and I mainly use Arctic Gro brand seed for reseeding and that mix contains (Boreal Red Fescue, Park Kentucky, Alene Kentucky, Arctared Fescue, Kenai Kentucky, Washington Kentucky0. Grass clippings and other organic matter is composed in an onsite composter. The yard contains two large 25sqft (50sqft total) vegitable beds that we usually grow (peas, beats, beans, onions, chives, carrots, radishes, lettuce, kale, and other greens. There is a 60 sqft bed that contains about 12 rhubarb plants of different varities. We also have a 30sqft raspberry bramble area and a small green house for tomatoes and cucumbers. We also have many small flower planters, both hanging and ground spread around the yard.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
Eisenman Garden
How large is your yard?: 
375.84
square yards
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 there areas with pithy twigs (elderberry, cane fruit, sumac, etc…)?: 
Yes
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.
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