Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate practice for ensuring proper drainage for a landscape installation?

1. Install check dams

2. Ensure the planting area is level

3. Incorporate French drains

4. Choose plants with high water tolerance

The correct answer is: Incorporate French drains

Incorporating French drains is the most appropriate practice for ensuring proper drainage in a landscape installation. French drains are specifically designed to direct surface water and groundwater away from specific areas, preventing excess water accumulation that can harm plant health and structural integrity. They work by using a perforated pipe buried in gravel or rock, allowing water to flow into the drain and be redirected away from the landscape area. While ensuring the planting area is level can help manage water flow on a surface level, it does not effectively address the underlying drainage issues that might arise from water pooling or saturating the soil. Installing check dams can be useful in certain situations to slow down water flow, but they are not a comprehensive solution for improving drainage in landscape installations. Choosing plants with high water tolerance may help mitigate issues in areas prone to flooding but does not solve the potential drainage problems, allowing water to remain in the planting area. Thus, incorporating French drains provides a proactive, effective solution for maintaining proper drainage.