Landscape Maintenance Flashcards

What is the primary benefit of leaving ornamental grass clumps uncut until late winter or early spring?

Answer: Provides winter interest and habitat for wildlife, with old foliage protecting the crown from cold

The dried foliage of ornamental grasses provides seasonal beauty, winter bird habitat, and crown protection until new growth begins.

What is 'overseeding' in turf management?

Answer: Seeding grass seed over an existing lawn to fill thin areas or improve turf density

Overseeding introduces new seed into existing turf to thicken the stand, repair damage, or introduce improved grass varieties.

What does 'systemic' mean when describing a pesticide used in landscape maintenance?

Answer: Absorbed by the plant and translocated through its vascular system to affect pests feeding on it

Systemic pesticides move through plant tissue, controlling insects that feed on the plant from anywhere on its surface.

What is 'plant hardiness zone creep' and its relevance to US landscape maintenance planning?

Answer: The gradual shift of USDA hardiness zones northward due to rising average minimum temperatures over time

Warming minimum temperatures allow formerly tender plants to survive in zones where they previously would have died in winter.

What is the purpose of a 'landscape maintenance log' or record book?

Answer: To document all maintenance activities, applications, and observations to guide future care decisions

A maintenance log tracks what was done, when, and with what products, creating a reference that helps diagnose problems and plan treatments.

What is 'dormant pruning' and which plants benefit most from it?

Answer: Pruning while a plant is leafless and dormant in winter, most beneficial for summer-blooming shrubs and most deciduous trees

Dormant pruning minimizes disease transmission risks, exposes branch structure for better cuts, and stimulates vigorous spring growth.