Habitat assessment by Brenda Peculis

Brenda Peculis's picture
Assessment results
Answer givenOur advice
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%.
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.
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...)?: 
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?: 
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)?: 
A lot (51-75%)
Consider supplementing your garden with some native, pollinator friendly plants and converting some lawn!
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 
7-9
Add 2-3 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
Are flowers planted in clumps?: 
No.
Consider planting flowers in clumps. Bees are more likely to be attracted to larger patches of flowers of the same type.
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: 169 (out of a possible 210)

a variety of fruit tress (2 types of pears, 4 types of apples, one crab apple and 2 peach trees) all bloom in spring. I hear bees in the blooms but don't always see them. Trees are underplanted with woodland native plants that bloom. less than 15% of yard is grass. Have several areas under large shade trees where grass won't grow at all, but undisturbed soil is clay. Leaving those areas bare (occasionally see mole runs and small holes where something has crawled in/out). Am starting to plant some shade-loving native plants under trees, since I killed off grass under trees with piled up leaf mulch. In the sunny area, have a 'mixed garden' of veggies and herbs interplanted with lots of different native plants. I leave the leaves (piling the ones that land on the grass in a bin in the garden to mulch tomato plants early summer) and save the stems on all native plants for winter interest and for the insects.

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
home
How large is your yard?: 
0.30
acres
Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?: 
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
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 summer?: 
10 or more
How much mulch is on the ground?: 
None.
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