Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

Which tool is best suited for creating a fine seedbed?

1. Rake

2. Shovel

3. Hoe

4. Trowel

The correct answer is: Rake

The rake is the most suitable tool for creating a fine seedbed because it is specifically designed to level and smooth soil surfaces, allowing for optimal seed placement and soil contact. Its tines can break up clumps of soil, removing debris and ensuring an even texture that holds moisture and nutrients effectively for seed germination. Raking helps to create a loose surface ideal for sowing seeds, allowing them to make good contact with the soil. Other tools like a shovel are better suited for digging and moving larger amounts of soil, but they do not create the fine texture needed for a seedbed. A hoe can be effective for cultivating and breaking up soil but may not achieve the smoothness required for seedbeds as efficiently as a rake. A trowel, being a smaller hand tool, is more appropriate for planting individual seeds or small plants rather than preparing larger areas of soil for seed sowing.