Habitat assessment by Mattyl

Mattyl'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 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.
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.
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 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?: 
1-3
Add 4-6 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.
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?: 
More than one.
We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!
Is pesticide use avoided when flowers are in bloom?: 
Pesticides are sometime used while flowers are blooming
Consider spraying pesticides only when flowers are not in bloom.

Score: 121 (out of a possible 210)

Bees pollinate

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
MMWX+4Q Truckton, CO
How large is your yard?: 
1.00
square yards
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 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
What is the main type of vegetation in the area you are evaluating (park, garden, yard, farm...)?: 
Native wildflowers
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?: 
Most (more than 75%)
How much mulch is on the ground?: 
None.
Are pesticides used in the garden?: 
Yes
What time of day are pesticides applied?: 
Pesticides are applied only at night
Is the drift of pesticides controlled?: 
Pesticide drift is controlled.