Habitat assessment by dmaughlin

dmaughlin's picture
Assessment results
Answer givenOur 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.
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?: 
Some. Between 21-40%.
Consider expanding your gardens and wild spaces and reducing your lawn.
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!
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?: 
Five 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!

Score: 158 (out of a possible 210)

1/2 acre residential lot in rural Western Montana town with 1200 ft house and single car garage at end of paved driveway. One quarter of total lot is some grass native grasses and undesirable forms, not watered or mowed. Another one quarter of space is planted lawn that is watered and mowed. Yard space behind garage and house are fenced to keep roaming deer out.
Front yard is mostly shrub and flower beds with hearty perennials that are deer resistant. Two large mature maple trees plus three newly planted shade trees, 60+ shrubs as hedges and in flower beds. Perennial pollinators are the book of the flower beds with blossoms from March through Frost in October. Purchases in last 5 years mainly natives / nativars/ grasses and zeriscape. New 2021 10x10 plot for local conservation service pollinator seed packet doing well. 16x20 vegetable garden space mostly annuals, strawberries and Filbert shrubs in this area. Water conservation has always been important to this gardener so not inconvenienced by City watering restrictions. Wildfires rage in the west this year, my garden space will be inundated with smoke until snowfall in October or November.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
Limabn
How large is your yard?: 
0.50
acres
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
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.
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
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
No