Minnesota Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• How can water-use efficiency be increased in MN landscapes?
• High soil pH can contribute to iron chlorosis by reducing iron solubility. Management actions?
• What is the purpose of a frost blanket in a nursery?
• Which outcome does proper irrigation calibration promote?
• How should root balls be handled to minimize damage during transplant?
• Which of these soils will dry quickest after irrigation or a rain?
• How should pruning cuts be made to promote healing on woody plants?
• When plants tend to grow towards the light, it is referred to as __________
• What material fills the space between paver blocks to lock them in and keep weeds out?
• A nurseryman uses a device that mixes a concentrated fertilizer solution into the water line during irrigation. This device is a type of:
• Which landscape design principle helps create visual interest through focal points?
• If you use a motorized tiller in garden soil while the soil is still wet after a rain, which consequence is most likely?
• To draw a 60 foot diameter tree to scale of 1 inch = 8 feet, the symbol should measure ______ inches wide
• Which term describes the perceived heaviness or lightness of an element in landscape design?
• Which propagation method is most likely to result in genetic variation in the offspring?
• Which statement is generally true about shrubs that bloom in late summer?
• If a home landscape is balanced but the left and right sides differ in number, size, and shape, this landscape is said to be __________ balanced.
• What is the purpose of the material filling the space between paver blocks?
• A landscape planner is preparing a list of hardscape items to be installed. Which of these items should NOT be included on the hardscape list?
• Pruners should be cleaned with a bleach solution between plants to prevent disease transfer.
• A tree expected to reach 70 feet tall at maturity should be planted at least how many feet from a house?
• In a 50-pound bag of 20-10-20 fertilizer, how many pounds of potassium are present?
• A systemic insecticide refers to one that
• Which propagation method is an example of grafting used to create a bud union on a rootstock?
• For a mortar-less block retaining wall, how many courses must be installed below the grade line?
• Fertilizer is often applied through the irrigation system. This is often referred to as:
• Which symptom indicates winter injury risk in evergreen species like spruce or pine?
• Three layers or horizons of a normal soil profile are?
• In landscape design, which line type is often used to add a feeling of peace, calm, and restfulness?
• What does a complete fertilizer provide beyond N-P-K?
• What does PHI mean on a pesticide label?
• Why is plant hydration at transplant time important?
• Which item would NOT be included on a hardscape list?
• What is the purpose of irrigation system filters and emitters maintenance?
• Most newly planted trees should be staked for the first 3 years.
• When selecting plants for a site with dry summers, which considerations improve success?
• General maintenance of annuals in landscape color beds includes fertilization, weeding, irrigation and:
• Which nutrient is represented by the first number in a standard N-P-K fertilizer designation?
• During active growth, what is the typical mowing height for cool-season turf in Minnesota?
• Which soil texture generally provides good drainage for landscape plants?
• Which stem tissue conducts water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant?
• Some plants used in the landscape have adapted well to the area where they were planted and have escaped and now grow as a nuisance or weed plants, competing with native plants in the area. These plants are called ______ plants.
• How can you minimize pesticide drift during application?
• Which pests are commonly monitored in Minnesota nurseries for woody ornamentals?
• In annual bed maintenance, which practice specifically targets spent blooms?
• Annuals for shady situations include
• The main advantage of producing plants from cuttings is that:
• What is essential for turf seed germination and establishment?
• Why are newly stuck cuttings sometimes covered with a sheet of polyethylene?
• Which tissue transports sugars from leaves to other parts of the plant?
• What is the difference between complete fertilizer and starter fertilizer?
• Which statement about fungus diseases is correct?
• Propagating plants using seeds that have a hard seed coat often involves scratching the seed coat in a process known as:
• Most containerized shrubs suitable for planting the landscape are measured by:
• How should you respond to a pesticide spill?
• The flower typically consists of four different parts, sepal, petal, _______, and ________
• For lime applications to adjust soil pH, what property does the lime target?
• Fertilizer application should be based on which information?
• Which profession requires the most schooling?
• Which of the following is NOT used in either the monitoring or control of insect pests?
• How should fertilizer be applied to reduce leaching in Minnesota soils?
• Which statement about landscape fabric and polyethylene film is true?
• Tissue in plants used in the movement of water is called
• A homeowner was ordering topsoil; needed 54 cubic feet; how many cubic yards are needed?
• Deadheading is the practice of removing spent flowers to promote more blooms?
• Elevated levels of which gas in a greenhouse improve growth and quality of plants?
• What term describes applying pesticides through irrigation water?
• The removal of dead or dying flowers from an annual is called:
• Which of the following is not one of the three horizons of a normal soil profile?
• Tender plants are:
• Which plant structure is an underground stem that stores energy and can produce shoots?
• The measure of a soil's ability to hold positively charged ions is called the cation exchange capacity.
• Which pruning cut should be made first when removing a limb to prevent tearing bark?
• Which iron supplement form is commonly used to treat iron chlorosis?
• Which statement best describes IPM?
• Air layering is an example of which type of propagation?
• A shrub should be planted at the same depth as it was growing.
• At planting, where should the root flare be positioned for a container-grown tree?
• Which amendment improves soil structure and fertility in heavy clay soils?
• In screening and hiring new employees, which information cannot be requested on an application or in an interview?
• Traditional plant retail nurseries often compete with so-called big box store nursery and garden centers by providing better:
• What is the effect of soil pH on nutrient availability?
• Which part of the root increases surface area for water and nutrient absorption?
• In the name Acer Rubrum 'Autumn Blaze', 'Autumn Blaze' is a ________.
• Why is a written landscape maintenance plan important?
• Which statement about Bacillus thuringiensis is accurate?
• Which practice is known to improve soil moisture holding capacity?
• During active growth, which statement best describes mowing height management for cool-season turf in Minnesota?
• Landscape and nursery plants are sold by the ______ name to help assure that the plants being purchased are the expected type, mature size, color, etc.
• Correcting low soil pH can be achieved by applying:
• Asymmetrical balance is sometimes referred to as informal balance.
• A lawn established by seedlings is best planted in ______.
• Which process is used to break seed dormancy by exposing seeds to cold conditions?
• The halves or thick portions of a seed that contains the tissue used as a food by the seedlings in its early growth is the:
• After cuttings are rooted and repotted, they may be hardened-off by:
• Which form of deciduous tree is typically planted while dormant?
• A fungus disease attacks
• The USDA plant hardiness zone map helps determine a plant's ability to withstand which condition?
• Pruners should be cleaned in bleach solution before moving from one shrub to another.
• A pH of 4.5 is
• Which option correctly identifies the role of Bacillus thuringiensis in pest management?
• Why is soil drainage critical for establishing nursery stock in Minnesota?
• What indicates that a spruce or pine may be susceptible to winter injury in MN?
• Pavers that are stood on end and used to hold the inner field of blocks in place when edging can't be used are called the ___________ course
• In a 10-20-15 fertilizer analysis, which nutrient is present at 20%?
• What is one consequence of excessive thatch in lawns?
• What is a recommended practice for lawn disease prevention in Minnesota?
• In landscape planning, which item would be considered a hardscape feature?
• The smallest soil particle is
• Which two things are among the most important that humans receive from plants?
• Which process will not produce offspring with the same traits?
• Which elements are typically conveyed to the installation crew by a site plan?
• Which pruning practice is recommended for stone fruits in MN to reduce disease risk?
• How should fertilizer rates be determined for landscape beds?
• A rhizome is an underground ________.
• How do you determine whether a plant would thrive in a site with dry summers?
• The best time to dig trees for transplant is
• Which condition is most likely to encourage nursery cuttings to root faster?
• The moisture holding capacity of a soil is sometimes improved by ___________
• Which of these terms/phrases is not used in landscape design?
• Why is it important to select deer-resistant plants in Minnesota landscape design?
• What is frost heave and how can it be mitigated in Minnesota landscapes?
• The output of a sprinkler pump is related to horsepower.
• What is the general soil pH range for most landscape plants?
• What is the primary environmental purpose of erosion control during site work?
• The best time to complete a graft is
• Which plant is most tolerant of partial shade?
• Which is not needed for successful seed germination?
• Starter fertilizer is typically higher in which nutrient to promote root development?
• In heavy clay soils, which amendment is commonly used to improve soil structure and drainage?
• Which of these is NOT a benefit of using mulch around landscape plants?
• For bare-root roses, why is it important to keep roots moist before planting?
• Which of the following is not derived from naturally occurring rocks and minerals
• How should you select cultivars to withstand Minnesota disease pressure?
• The herbicide 2-4D controls weed problems caused by______________
• What is a key maintenance task for irrigation systems to ensure uniform water distribution?
• Why is soil aeration important before planting in compacted Minnesota soils?
• Which naturally occurring plant hormone promotes root development and causes elongation of cells in shoots?
• In a standard N-P-K fertilizer designation, which nutrient does the middle number represent?
• The margin of a leaf that has saw tooth projections around the margin is called:
• Which soil composition ratio represents a well-balanced soil mixture?
• Why is winter protection important for ornamental plantings in Minnesota?
• The best time to dig trees for transplant is?
• One key to developing an effective integrated pest management program (IPM) is:
• Why are buffer zones important when applying pesticides near water bodies?
• In the botanical name Syringa vulgaris, vulgaris is the species name.
• What is the recommended minimum distance, from a house, for a tree that could reach 70 feet tall?
• In monocot stems, where are the xylem and phloem located?
• Integrated pest management (IPM) emphasizes which of the following approaches?
• Soil pH is measured on a scale that ranges from?
• What practice helps prevent trunk damage and disease when applying mulch around trees?
• What is the process by which young transplants are gradually exposed to stress to help them adapt to cooler temperatures?
• The generally accepted soil pH range for most landscape plants is which of the following?
• What is the recommended position of the root flare when planting a container-grown shrub to prevent girdling roots?
• Which symptom indicates overwatering in container plants?
• When labeling landscape plants for sale, which naming components are used to convey the plant's identity?
• What is the primary purpose of a soil test in plant maintenance?
• Iron chlorosis may be effectively treated with a product called __________.
• What is the proper practice when planting bare-root roses in Minnesota?
• Which fertilizer strategy is recommended to minimize nutrient leaching in Minnesota soils?
• What is the term for the plant's growth toward the source of light?
• Powdery mildew is a common disease caused by fungi and found throughout the United States. It is easily recognized by a white to gray powdery growth, usually on the upper leaf surface.
• Which statement best describes IPM's approach to pest management?
• How does 2-3 inches of mulch around plant bases benefit plant health?
• Which term describes the tip of a leaf?
• What is the benefit of using beneficial insects in IPM?
• What is the main purpose of a site plan in installation?
• Lawn fertilizers in Minnesota cannot contain phosphorus.
• Deadheading is the practice of removing which part to encourage more bloom?
• The flower color of some hydrangeas can be changed by which soil factor?
• A complete fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and __________
• The flower color of hydrangeas can be changed by altering which soil property?
• What is the role of erosion control during site work?
• Which propagation method is NOT a form of vegetative propagation?
• What is the primary purpose of a backflow preventer?
• Which material is used to lower the pH of a soil?
• Which practice best mitigates frost heave in Minnesota landscapes?
• How should you plant a container-grown shrub to avoid girdling roots?
• While producing nursery crops in containers, one disadvantage is that:
• What is the most important reason to calibrate an irrigation system?
• To saw off a 5 inch limb off a tree, be sure to make a _________ cut first to prevent stripping off the bark on the tree trunk
• A landscape plant that has escaped cultivation and now competes with native species is called an ______ plant.
• Which statement best describes the design principle of emphasis in landscape design?
• In plant naming, the term used for a cultivated variety is a _______.
• A sprinkler pump with an output of 3.5 gallons per minute. If you add 3 sprinklers to the existing zone, what happens to the system's pressure?
• What is a common sign of iron chlorosis and a basic management approach?
• One guideline for good customer service in a retail nursery is to:
• A 10-20-15 fertilizer analysis indicates that it contains which nutrients in the stated percentages?
• Which pair completes the standard four-part structure of a flower along with sepal and petal?
• Large plant containers are commonly measured in which unit?
• Suppose you receive several thousand bareroot hardwood trees at your nursery during the winter. These dormant trees are to be potted in three-gallon pots. However, they arrive during a busy period and it may be a couple of weeks before you have time to pot them. Which of these would be the best plan to preserve the trees?
• Grafts are typically completed in which season?
• For successful turf seed establishment, which pair of conditions is most critical?
• Which material is used to lower the pH of a soil?
• Powdery mildew is typically recognized by which symptom?
• Which practice is most likely to encourage faster rooting of nursery cuttings?
• Which two things are among the most important that humans receive from plants?
• Roundup is what type of herbicide?
• Which irrigation method minimizes foliar disease risk in Minnesota landscapes?
• What is the best time to prune spring-flowering shrubs in Minnesota?
• When making a pruning cut on a branch it should be made at the following angle
• Which characteristic describes tender plants?
• Where are the xylem and phloem located in monocot stems?
• Which of these plants is most tolerant of partial shade?
• Which amendment is commonly used to raise soil pH in acidic soils?
• A shrub should be planted
• Watering to help reduce disease should occur when?
• Over-fertilizing established trees can cause which issues?
• During pollination, pollen grains move from the ______ of a flower to the ______.
• Which term describes a plant group that remains constant through propagation and breeding, such as a named cultivar?
• What is the recommended mulch depth around trees and shrubs in Minnesota landscapes?
• After planting, which moisture management step best promotes root establishment?
• Pavers that are stood on end to hold the inner field of blocks in place when edging can't be used are called the
• How should root balls be handled to minimize damage during transplant?
• Where should you consult for recommended disease-resistant cultivars suited to Minnesota conditions?
• When pruning stone fruits in MN, which practice is recommended to reduce disease risk?
• A good soil is often described in terms of the percentage of air, water, and mineral and organic matter (solid matter). Which ratio below is most desirable?
• Landscape fabric is preferred over black polyethylene film in mulch areas because it...
• The USDA plant hardiness zone map may be used to:
• One purpose of a berm in the landscape is to:
• Fired clay bricks can be used for pavers
• The term LD50 refers to the amount of pesticide required to kill half of a population.
• A leaf apex refers to what part of the leaf?
• A homeowner brought a turf sample to the nursery stating that his lawn tips looked dead. The tips were dry, brown, frayed. The most likely cause is:
• During planting, which root flare placement decision is correct?