Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What characteristic is most important when deciding to use groundcover instead of turfgrass?

1. Only 3 inches of topsoil

2. Site is in full sun

3. Site faces East

4. Landscape area has a 25% slope

The correct answer is: Landscape area has a 25% slope

The use of groundcover instead of turfgrass is particularly beneficial in landscape areas that have a 25% slope. This is because groundcovers are generally more effective at preventing soil erosion on sloped terrains than turfgrass. The extensive root systems of many groundcovers help to stabilize the soil, which is critical in preventing erosion that can occur when grass is not able to take root deeply enough due to the slope. Additionally, groundcovers often require less water and maintenance in these conditions compared to turfgrass, which can struggle to establish itself on steeper gradients and may need more frequent irrigation and care to remain healthy. The other characteristics, such as the amount of topsoil, sunlight exposure, and directional facing of the site, are important in their own right but do not have the same immediate impact on the practicality of using groundcovers in a sloped area. For instance, while full sun can influence plant selection, it does not negate the erosion concerns that slope presents, making the slope factor the most critical in this scenario.