Habitat assessment by Richard Hicks8859

Richard Hicks8859's picture
Assessment results
Answer givenOur advice
Are there low traffic areas where the soil is not turned over, tilled or plowed?: 
No
Set aside some areas for no tilling, plowing or turning over. Ground nesting bees nest anywhere from the top inches to several feet below the surface. Reducing disturbance allows those bees to survive to the next year.
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.
What is the main type of vegetation in the area you are evaluating (park, garden, yard, farm...)?: 
Mostly non-native plants including vegetables
Shift some of your non-native plants to natives.
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)?: 
Some (25-50%)
Consider supplementing your garden with some native, pollinator friendly plants and converting some lawn!
Are the flowering plants that you have pollinator friendly?: 
Some (25-50%)
Considering adding more pollinator friendly plants.
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?: 
4-6
Add 3-4 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.
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?: 
Just one.
We'd love to see pollinator counts from any of the plants in your garden as many times as you can contribute. Thanks!

Score: 110 (out of a possible 210)

Which garden or space are you describing?: 
60605,
How large is your yard?: 
90.00
hectacres
Are there areas with bare ground and very few plants?: 
Yes
Are there areas with sandy loamy soil?: 
Yes
Are there areas dead wood, brush piles or snags present?: 
Yes
Do you have native bunchgrasses?: 
Several areas or one large area.
Are there bee nesting blocks?: 
Yes
Is your nest block near a landmark like a rock?: 
Yes
Does your nest block have less than 20 holes?: 
Yes
Did you clean or replace your nest block in the last two years?: 
Yes
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