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New York Cornell Cooperative Extension Master
Gardener Program Exam Questions And Correct Answers
Plus Rationales 2025
- What is the best way to improve clay soil for growing vegetables? A. Add sand B. Add compost C. Increase irrigation D. Apply lime Compost improves structure, aeration, and water retention in clay soils.
- What is the main function of the xylem in plants? A. Transport sugars B. Transport water and minerals C. Photosynthesis D. Anchor the plant Xylem transports water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.
- Which of the following is a warm-season vegetable? A. Spinach B. Lettuce C. Tomato D. Broccoli
Tomatoes thrive in warm weather and should be planted after frost risk has passed.
- Which of the following is a symptom of nitrogen deficiency in plants? A. Purple leaf margins B. Yellowing of older leaves C. Leaf spots D. Wilting Nitrogen deficiency typically causes chlorosis in older leaves.
- The best time to prune most deciduous trees is: A. Summer B. Fall C. Early autumn D. Late winter to early spring This timing avoids disease transmission and allows quick healing.
- What is the pH range preferred by most garden vegetables? A. 4.5–5. B. 5.0–6. C. 6.0–7. D. 7.5–8. Most vegetables prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH for nutrient availability.
- Which part of the plant is responsible for photosynthesis? A. Roots B. Flowers
C. Herbaceous perennial D. Tree Rhododendrons are woody shrubs often used in ornamental landscaping. 12.The three numbers on a fertilizer bag represent: A. Phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium B. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium C. Potassium, calcium, and nitrogen D. Nitrogen, iron, and magnesium The numbers show N-P-K ratio for nutrient content. 13.Which method is best for controlling powdery mildew organically? A. Prune all infected leaves B. Increase air circulation and apply neem oil C. Use chemical fungicides D. Overhead watering Good air flow and neem oil limit fungal growth without chemicals. 14.Which insects are beneficial for pest control in the garden? A. Aphids B. Lady beetles (ladybugs) C. Japanese beetles D. Mealybugs Ladybugs feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests. 15.What is the purpose of a soil test? A. To identify insects B. To determine nutrient levels and pH
C. To kill weed seeds D. To increase organic matter Soil tests guide fertilization and amendment decisions. 16.What is the term for planting different crops in a sequence over seasons? A. Succession planting B. Crop rotation C. Intercropping D. Staggered sowing Crop rotation helps prevent disease and maintain soil fertility. 17.What is deadheading? A. Removing roots B. Removing spent flowers C. Cutting stems D. Thinning leaves Deadheading encourages further blooming by preventing seed formation. 18.Which plant part absorbs most water and nutrients? A. Stem B. Leaf C. Root hairs D. Bark Root hairs increase surface area for nutrient and water absorption. 19.A perennial plant is one that: A. Lives one season B. Lives two seasons
B. Fungal disease causing stem collapse C. Insect infestation D. Overwatering Damping-off causes young seedlings to rot at the base. 24.What can be used to naturally repel deer? A. Fertilizer B. Garlic spray or motion-activated sprinklers C. Compost D. Insecticidal soap Deer dislike garlic scent and are startled by sudden water movement. 25.What part of the compost pile provides nitrogen? A. Leaves B. Grass clippings C. Wood chips D. Straw Green materials like grass provide nitrogen for microbial activity. 26.What is the ideal carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in composting? A. 1: B. 30: C. 10: D. 5: A 30:1 C:N ratio supports balanced decomposition. 27.Which tree is best suited for small urban yards in New York? A. Sycamore
B. Serviceberry C. Norway maple D. Cottonwood Serviceberry is compact, ornamental, and native. 28.What is the best way to avoid transplant shock? A. Fertilize immediately B. Water deeply and shade the plant C. Prune heavily D. Use pesticides Adequate water and shade help plants adjust to new environments. 29.What is the purpose of hardening off seedlings? A. Prevent insect damage B. Acclimate plants to outdoor conditions C. Improve flower production D. Force flowering Hardening reduces transplant stress by gradually introducing outdoor exposure. 30.What is soil texture determined by? A. Color B. Relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay C. Organic matter D. Water pH Soil texture affects drainage and root growth.
35.What is a cover crop? A. A flower crop B. A crop planted to improve soil C. A crop for animal feed D. A weed Cover crops add nutrients, reduce erosion, and suppress weeds. 36.Which of the following is considered a cool-season crop? A. Tomato B. Eggplant C. Spinach D. Corn Spinach prefers cool temperatures and bolts in heat. 37.What plant part is a tuber? A. Stem B. Root C. Swollen underground stem D. Leaf Tubers are storage stems, e.g., potatoes. 38.What practice helps control weeds without herbicides? A. Overhead irrigation B. Mulching C. Nitrogen application D. Frequent pruning Mulch smothers weed seedlings and prevents growth.
39.What is a rain garden? A. Vegetable garden B. Planted depression that captures runoff C. Flowering annual bed D. Compost bin Rain gardens reduce erosion and filter stormwater. 40.Which type of pruning promotes a strong structure in young trees? A. Heading back B. Pollarding C. Structural pruning D. Shearing Structural pruning trains the central leader and branch angles. 41.Which of the following is an invasive species in NY? A. Red maple B. Oakleaf hydrangea C. Japanese knotweed D. Black-eyed Susan Japanese knotweed displaces native plants aggressively. 42.What is the purpose of thinning seedlings? A. Increase height B. Speed growth C. Reduce competition for light, water, and nutrients D. Control insects Thinning ensures proper spacing and healthier development.
47.What are mycorrhizae? A. Weeds B. Beneficial fungi that associate with plant roots C. Bacteria that cause rot D. Insects that pollinate Mycorrhizae improve nutrient uptake for plants. 48.What is the botanical term for a flower’s male part? A. Pistil B. Stamen C. Petal D. Sepal The stamen includes the anther and filament, producing pollen. 49.Which soil amendment increases acidity? A. Lime B. Manure C. Elemental sulfur D. Wood ash Sulfur lowers soil pH gradually. 50.What garden method minimizes soil disturbance? A. Double-digging B. Flood irrigation C. No-till gardening D. Tilling weekly
No-till preserves soil structure and microbial life. 51.What is the primary role of phosphorus in plants? A. Disease resistance B. Root and flower development C. Leaf production D. Pest deterrence Phosphorus encourages strong root growth and blooming. 52.Which garden practice helps prevent tomato blight? A. Daily overhead watering B. Planting in shade C. Crop rotation and mulching D. Heavy fertilization Rotating crops and applying mulch limit disease spread in soil. 53.Which of the following is an example of a monocot plant? A. Tomato B. Corn C. Bean D. Cucumber Monocots like corn have parallel veins and fibrous roots. 54.What type of pest control involves using predators or parasites? A. Mechanical B. Chemical C. Biological
D. Sepal Bud scales are protective coverings for overwintering buds. 59.What is the function of stomata on leaves? A. Anchor the leaf B. Absorb sunlight C. Gas exchange and transpiration D. Transport sugars Stomata regulate the intake of CO₂ and water vapor release. 60.Which of the following improves biodiversity in a garden? A. Monoculture B. Overuse of synthetic pesticides C. Planting a variety of native species D. Removing all weeds and insects Diverse native plants support a wider range of beneficial organisms. 61.The term “bolt” in reference to lettuce means: A. Root rot B. Frost damage C. Premature flowering D. Leaf curl Lettuce bolts in hot weather, going to seed and becoming bitter. 62.What does IPM stand for? A. Insect Pesticide Management B. Integrated Plant Maintenance C. Integrated Pest Management
D. Irrigation Planning Method IPM combines practices to manage pests with minimal environmental impact. 63.What causes chlorosis in plant leaves? A. Overwatering B. Sunscald C. Lack of chlorophyll due to nutrient deficiency D. Fungal spores Chlorosis is yellowing caused by nutrient deficiency, often iron or nitrogen. 64.Which pruning technique involves removing entire branches back to the trunk or a main stem? A. Heading B. Thinning C. Topping D. Shearing Thinning improves airflow and structure without excessive regrowth. 65.Which plant is allelopathic and can inhibit growth of nearby plants? A. Red maple B. Black walnut C. Sugar maple D. Cherry Black walnut produces juglone, which can suppress other plant growth. 66.When should spring-flowering bulbs be planted in New York? A. Summer
70.What is a key indicator of healthy compost? A. Sour smell B. Presence of pests C. Earthy smell and crumbly texture D. Wet and slimy appearance Healthy compost smells earthy and is not overly wet. 71.Which mulch type can acidify the soil over time? A. Cocoa shells B. Pine needles C. Straw D. Shredded newspaper Pine needles gradually lower pH, useful for acid-loving plants. 72.Why are native plants recommended in landscapes? A. They bloom year-round B. They are invasive C. They are adapted to local climate and support native wildlife D. They require constant fertilization Native plants thrive with fewer inputs and support ecosystem services. 73.What is girdling in trees? A. Pruning at the wrong time B. Restriction of nutrient flow due to damage around the trunk C. Sudden leaf drop D. Fruit rot Girdling cuts off water and nutrient flow, often fatal to trees.
74.What is the most common cause of nutrient leaching in gardens? A. Shade B. Overwatering or heavy rains C. Low pH D. High clay content Excess water washes nutrients below the root zone. 75.Which is a cool-season cover crop in New York? A. Sorghum B. Winter rye C. Sudan grass D. Corn Winter rye grows in cool temperatures and protects soil over winter. 76.What kind of bug is a ground beetle? A. Pest B. Beneficial predator C. Pollinator D. Larvae Ground beetles eat caterpillars, slugs, and other pests. 77.Which is an example of cultural pest control? A. Applying insecticides B. Rotating crops C. Using traps D. Releasing predators Cultural controls prevent problems through planning and practices.
