Habitat assessment by D.Fredericks for Fredericks residence

Assessment results

Answer given	Our 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.
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.
Did you clean or replace your nest block in the last two years?: No	Clean your nest block. You can just run a stick in each hole. This will reduce parasitism.
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 many flowers in your garden bloom in spring?: 4-6	Add 4-6 more kinds of spring flowers.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in fall?: 1-3	Add 4-6 more fall flowers to support fall bees.
How many flowers in your garden bloom in summer?: 4-6	Add 2-3 more types of summer flowers to support summer 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.
Is there fresh, clean water always available with a perch that bees could stand on and drink?: No	Consider adding a water element. This can be as simple as a bowl with some rocks thrown in for bees to stand on while drinking.
How many different pollinator counts will your contribute this year?: Ten 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 for contributing!

Score: 135 (out of a possible 210)

We had a traditional lawn that we have stopped watering, and we plan to slowly replace it with native ground cover such as yarrow and plantains. My plan is to do weekly pollinator counts.

Which garden or space are you describing?:

Fredericks residence

How large is your yard?:

1 000.00

square yards

Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?:

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

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 much mulch is on the ground?:

Some.

Does the garden use herbicides?:

No.

Are pesticides used in the garden?: