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University of Georgia Extension Master Gardener
practice test Questions and Correct Answers Plus
Rationales 2025
- What is the most suitable pH range for most Georgia garden soils? A. 4.0–5. B. 5.0–5. C. 6.0–6. D. 7.0–8. Most garden plants in Georgia prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6. and 6.5 for optimal nutrient availability.
- Which of the following is a cool-season vegetable? A. Okra B. Tomato C. Eggplant D. Broccoli Broccoli is a cool-season crop best grown in early spring or fall in Georgia.
- The best time to prune azaleas in Georgia is:
A. Early fall B. Winter C. After blooming D. Early spring before bud break Pruning azaleas right after they bloom allows new buds to form before the next season.
- Which insect is a beneficial predator in the garden? A. Japanese beetle B. Lady beetle C. Aphid D. Whitefly Lady beetles (ladybugs) consume large numbers of pests like aphids and scale insects.
- Which type of mulch is recommended to conserve soil moisture and prevent weeds? A. Sand B. Gravel C. Pine straw D. Vermiculite Pine straw is a commonly used organic mulch in Georgia gardens that conserves moisture and reduces weed growth.
- Which propagation method is best for hardwood shrubs? A. Grafting B. Cuttings C. Division D. Air layering Cuttings are commonly used for propagating hardwood shrubs like hydrangeas. 10.Which is NOT a sign of a well-functioning compost pile? A. Earthworm presence B. Ammonia smell C. Sweet earthy smell D. Heat in the center An ammonia smell indicates too much nitrogen and poor aeration; a healthy pile should smell earthy. 11.What pest is known for skeletonizing leaves? A. Scale B. Aphids C. Japanese beetles D. Whiteflies Japanese beetles feed between leaf veins, leaving a lace-like or "skeletonized" appearance.
12.What plant part is primarily responsible for water uptake? A. Stems B. Leaves C. Roots D. Flowers Roots absorb water and nutrients from the soil for the plant. 13.What is the ideal depth to plant vegetable seeds? A. 3 inches B. On the surface C. 2–3 times the seed's diameter D. 6 inches Planting depth depends on seed size—generally 2–3 times the seed's width. 14.When should cool-season lawns like fescue be fertilized in Georgia? A. Summer B. Late spring C. Fall D. Early July Fall is ideal for fertilizing cool-season grasses to encourage root development.
18.What is the main function of phosphorus in plants? A. Leaf development B. Root and flower development C. Pest resistance D. Water transport Phosphorus promotes strong roots and flower/fruit development. 19.Which is a symptom of overwatering? A. Dry leaf edges B. Yellowing leaves and root rot C. Wilting during drought D. Increased flowering Overwatering reduces oxygen availability, causing root rot and yellowing. 20.What is Georgia’s USDA Plant Hardiness Zone range? A. 3– 5 B. 5– 6 C. 6– 7 D. 7– 9 Georgia spans Zones 7 to 9, indicating where certain plants can survive the winter.
21.The best method for preventing erosion on slopes is: A. Gravel mulch B. Ground cover planting C. Tilling D. Irrigation Ground covers stabilize soil and reduce erosion on slopes. 22.What is the best time to divide perennials like daylilies? A. Summer B. During blooming C. After flowering or in early spring D. Winter Division is best when plants are not actively flowering and temperatures are mild. 23.What is the best indicator of soil texture? A. Color B. Odor C. Feel (sand, silt, clay) D. Taste Texture is determined by particle size—sand, silt, or clay—felt by hand.
A. Sticky residue B. White, powdery coating on leaves C. Brown, sunken spots D. Wilting stems Powdery mildew looks like a fine white powder on leaf surfaces. 28.What is the recommended way to manage fire ants in lawns? A. Dig up nests B. Flood mounds C. Use bait products D. Spray randomly Baits are effective because ants carry them to the queen, eliminating the colony. 29.What is the function of mulch in vegetable gardens? A. Increases pests B. Conserves moisture and suppresses weeds C. Encourages diseases D. Lowers nutrients Mulch helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent weeds. 30.Which plant is a nitrogen-fixing legume?
A. Corn B. Tomato C. Clover D. Pepper Legumes like clover host rhizobia that fix nitrogen into the soil. 31.What part of the plant conducts photosynthesis? A. Roots B. Flowers C. Leaves D. Bark Leaves are the main site for photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy. 32.A soil high in clay will: A. Drain quickly B. Hold water longer C. Be very acidic D. Be nutrient-poor Clay holds moisture due to its fine particles and can become compacted. 33.What is the best practice to avoid disease spread in gardens?
A. Summer B. Late winter before new growth C. After blooming D. Early fall Late winter pruning encourages proper shape and flowering without cold damage. 37.Which plant is drought-tolerant? A. Impatiens B. Lantana C. Fern D. Hostas Lantana is a hardy, drought-resistant plant ideal for hot Georgia summers. 38.Which soil amendment improves clay soil drainage? A. Lime B. Compost C. Fertilizer D. Peat moss Compost improves structure and drainage while adding nutrients. 39.What is the term for a plant that lives two years?
A. Annual B. Biennial C. Perennial D. Ephemeral Biennials grow leaves the first year and flower in the second before dying. 40.What’s a common sign of spider mite infestation? A. Large holes B. Powder on leaves C. Fine webbing and stippling on leaves D. Rotten stems Spider mites cause yellow stippling and fine silk webs. 41.What causes blossom-end rot in tomatoes? A. Virus B. Calcium deficiency and inconsistent watering C. Too much nitrogen D. Fungal rot Lack of calcium and erratic watering cause this common tomato disorder. 42.Which is a non-chemical pest control?
A. Leaf browning B. Sticky honeydew on leaves C. Root rot D. Holes in bark Aphids excrete honeydew, attracting sooty mold and ants. 46.What is the ideal spacing for vegetable plants? A. Always 6 inches B. Depends on the crop C. Random spacing D. Very close Spacing varies based on plant size and airflow needs. 47.Why rotate crops annually? A. Increase sun exposure B. Reduce disease and pest buildup C. Change pH D. Improve flavor Rotating crops disrupts pest and disease cycles and improves soil health. 48.Which is an organic source of nitrogen?
A. Lime B. Bone meal C. Blood meal D. Potash Blood meal is high in nitrogen and commonly used in organic gardening. 49.When is the best time to water a garden? A. Evening B. Midday C. Early morning D. Midnight Morning watering reduces evaporation and disease risk from wet foliage. 50.What is the result of planting too deep? A. Faster germination B. Poor emergence or seed rot C. More flowers D. Larger leaves Planting too deep restricts seedling emergence or causes rot in wet soil. 51.What is the ideal carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio for composting?
A. Increase pests B. Improve soil structure and add organic matter C. Decrease pH D. Prevent flowering Cover crops protect soil, prevent erosion, and add nutrients when tilled in. 55.Which term describes the upward movement of water through a plant? A. Osmosis B. Translocation C. Transpiration pull D. Diffusion Transpiration pull helps draw water from the roots up to the leaves. 56.What is a common characteristic of sandy soils? A. Poor drainage B. High nutrient retention C. Rapid drainage and low nutrient retention D. High water-holding capacity Sandy soils drain quickly and often lack nutrients due to leaching. 57.A monocot plant has:
A. Two seed leaves B. Parallel leaf veins and one seed leaf C. Woody stems D. Taproots Monocots have one cotyledon and parallel-veined leaves. 58.What is the primary symptom of downy mildew? A. Leaf edges curl upward B. Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with gray mold underneath C. Leaf holes D. Brown spots with black centers Downy mildew often shows yellowing above and fuzzy gray growth underneath leaves. 59.What should be avoided when pruning trees? A. Making clean cuts B. Pruning in winter C. Topping branches D. Removing dead limbs Topping disfigures trees, weakens limbs, and invites decay. 60.What is the best planting time for bare-root trees in Georgia?
