Habitat assessment by dogonitpups@aol.com

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Assessment results
Answer givenOur advice
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.
Does your nest block have less than 20 holes?: 
No
Create a nest block with fewer holes. This will reduce parasitism and make it more likely bees will use it.
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?: 
A little. Between 5-20%.
Add a new garden or expand your current garden space. Every little bit helps.
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?: 
7-9
Add 2-3 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?: 
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: 168 (out of a possible 210)

6.5 acres are in natural Loblolly pine and a lowland native hardwood forest. The rest is a house surround by lawn that is currently being changed into wildflower meadows with help from USDA-NRCS Conservation contract. Other than 2 butterfly bushes and a few invasives, Chinese and Japanese privet and Chinese tallow, everything else is native. I continue to battle with the invasives but never seem to totally get rid of it. I have the forest on a three year prescribed fire burning prescription which helps renew the native forbs especially the grasses. I have a vast variety of pollinators, hummingbirds, bees, wasps and beetles, that have increased significantly with the addition of native plants in the front garden. They even enjoy the vegetable garden I have mixed in with it.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
Home
How large is your yard?: 
8.00
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 there areas with pithy twigs (elderberry, cane fruit, sumac, etc…)?: 
Yes
Are there bee nesting blocks?: 
Yes
Is your nest block near a landmark like a rock?: 
Yes
Did you clean or replace your nest block in the last two years?: 
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%)
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