Habitat assessment by mack318

mack318'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.
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%.
Are there areas dead wood, brush piles or snags present?: 
No
Leave some dead wood, brush or snags in your habitat. Cavity nesting bees spend their winters in the holes found in these items.
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?: 
One smaller area.
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 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?: 
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: 134 (out of a possible 210)

Milk thistle covered the yard. Huge habitat. Lady bugs everywhere

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
woodland CA
How large is your yard?: 
6.00
square yards
Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?: 
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 fall?: 
10 or more
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?: 
10 or more
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