Landscape Design Landscape Maintenance

Question 1

What is the recommended maximum amount of grass to remove in a single mowing (the 'one-third rule')?

Accepted Answer

One-third of the total grass blade height

Answer

One-half of the blade

Answer

Two-thirds of the blade

Answer

The entire visible blade

Question 2

What is 'thatch' in lawn maintenance?

Accepted Answer

A layer of accumulated dead and living organic matter between the soil and green grass blades

Answer

Dead leaves on the surface

Answer

A fungal disease on turf

Answer

Compacted soil beneath the root zone

Question 3

What is the purpose of 'core aeration' on a compacted turf lawn?

Accepted Answer

To remove plugs of soil to reduce compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient penetration

Answer

To apply fertilizer evenly

Answer

To overseed bare patches

Answer

To control thatch-eating insects

Question 4

Which pruning cut removes a branch back to its point of origin at the trunk or main stem?

Accepted Answer

Thinning cut (removal cut)

Answer

Heading cut

Answer

Stub cut

Answer

Pinching

Question 5

When is the best time to prune spring-blooming shrubs such as forsythia or lilac?

Accepted Answer

Immediately after they finish blooming in spring

Answer

Late winter before new growth

Answer

Midsummer

Answer

Late fall after leaf drop

Question 6

What is 'mulching' in landscape maintenance and what depth is typically recommended?

Accepted Answer

Applying organic material around plants; 2–4 inches deep

Answer

Applying herbicide; 1 inch

Answer

Tilling the soil; 6 inches

Answer

Applying fertilizer pellets; 1/2 inch