NORTH CAROLINA LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 – REALISTIC QUESTIONS, VERIFIED
ANSWERS, DETAILED EXPLANATIONS & FULL STUDY
PREP GUIDE | PDF
1. A homeowner reports that after every rainfall, water pools near the foundation of
their house, eventually seeping into the basement. As the landscape contractor,
which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial corrective action?
A. Install additional irrigation heads
B. Add fertilizer to improve soil absorption
C. Regrade the soil to slope away from the structure
D. Plant shrubs around the foundation
Rationale: Proper grading is the first step to direct water away from structures and prevent
damage.
2. During a site evaluation, you discover the soil is extremely compacted clay,
making plant establishment difficult. Which of the following actions would BEST
improve soil structure and drainage before planting?
A. Add more clay to balance the soil
B. Install a sprinkler system
C. Incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil
D. Increase fertilizer application
Rationale: Organic matter improves aeration, drainage, and root penetration in clay soils.
3. A client wants a low-maintenance irrigation system that minimizes water waste
while ensuring plants receive adequate moisture directly at the root zone. Which
irrigation system should you recommend?
,A. Overhead sprinkler system
B. Flood irrigation
C. Hand watering with hose
D. Drip irrigation system
Rationale: Drip systems provide targeted watering and reduce evaporation loss.
4. While inspecting a newly installed landscape, you notice several plants are wilting
even though the irrigation system is functioning properly and the soil appears wet.
What is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
A. Underwatering
B. Lack of sunlight
C. Root rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage
D. Nutrient deficiency
Rationale: Excess water can suffocate roots and lead to rot, causing wilting.
5. A contractor is preparing to install sod on a residential property. Which of the
following site preparation steps is MOST critical to ensure successful sod
establishment?
A. Applying pesticides before installation
B. Leveling and properly grading the soil surface
C. Installing irrigation after laying sod
D. Cutting sod into smaller pieces
Rationale: Proper grading ensures even rooting and prevents water pooling.
6. A client requests a landscape design that includes both aesthetic appeal and
erosion control on a sloped property. Which solution provides BOTH functional and
visual benefits?
A. Installing only turfgrass
B. Applying fertilizer regularly
,C. Constructing a retaining wall with plantings
D. Using only mulch
Rationale: Retaining walls stabilize soil and enhance landscape appearance.
7. While performing routine maintenance, you are required to prune a mature tree
with several thick branches. Which tool is MOST appropriate for safely and effectively
completing this task?
A. Hedge shears
B. Hand pruners
C. Rake
D. Loppers or pruning saw
Rationale: Thick branches require tools designed for larger cuts.
8. A soil test report indicates that the soil pH is 5.0. Most of the plants selected for
installation prefer a neutral pH. What should be done to correct this issue?
A. Add sulfur
B. Increase irrigation
C. Apply lime to raise the pH
D. Add mulch
Rationale: Lime increases soil pH, making it less acidic.
9. A homeowner wants to reduce weed growth and improve moisture retention in
their flower beds. Which of the following recommendations would BEST meet these
goals?
A. Increase watering frequency
B. Remove all topsoil
C. Apply organic mulch around plants
D. Install artificial turf
Rationale: Mulch suppresses weeds and conserves moisture.
, 10. While designing a landscape plan, you must include hardscape elements. Which
of the following BEST represents hardscaping features?
A. Trees and shrubs
B. Irrigation pipes
C. Fertilizer applications
D. Patios, walkways, and retaining walls
Rationale: Hardscaping includes non-living structural components.
11. A contractor notices soil erosion occurring on a recently graded slope after heavy
rain. Which corrective measure would be MOST effective in stabilizing the soil
quickly?
A. Increase irrigation
B. Apply fertilizer
C. Install erosion control matting or ground cover plants
D. Remove topsoil
Rationale: Matting and vegetation reduce runoff and hold soil in place.
12. A fertilizer bag is labeled 10-10-10. What does the first number represent in this
formulation?
A. Potassium content
B. Phosphorus content
C. Nitrogen content
D. Soil pH
Rationale: The first number in fertilizer labels represents nitrogen.
13. When installing a drainage system, why is it important to maintain a consistent
slope in drainage pipes?
EXAM 2026 – REALISTIC QUESTIONS, VERIFIED
ANSWERS, DETAILED EXPLANATIONS & FULL STUDY
PREP GUIDE | PDF
1. A homeowner reports that after every rainfall, water pools near the foundation of
their house, eventually seeping into the basement. As the landscape contractor,
which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial corrective action?
A. Install additional irrigation heads
B. Add fertilizer to improve soil absorption
C. Regrade the soil to slope away from the structure
D. Plant shrubs around the foundation
Rationale: Proper grading is the first step to direct water away from structures and prevent
damage.
2. During a site evaluation, you discover the soil is extremely compacted clay,
making plant establishment difficult. Which of the following actions would BEST
improve soil structure and drainage before planting?
A. Add more clay to balance the soil
B. Install a sprinkler system
C. Incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil
D. Increase fertilizer application
Rationale: Organic matter improves aeration, drainage, and root penetration in clay soils.
3. A client wants a low-maintenance irrigation system that minimizes water waste
while ensuring plants receive adequate moisture directly at the root zone. Which
irrigation system should you recommend?
,A. Overhead sprinkler system
B. Flood irrigation
C. Hand watering with hose
D. Drip irrigation system
Rationale: Drip systems provide targeted watering and reduce evaporation loss.
4. While inspecting a newly installed landscape, you notice several plants are wilting
even though the irrigation system is functioning properly and the soil appears wet.
What is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
A. Underwatering
B. Lack of sunlight
C. Root rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage
D. Nutrient deficiency
Rationale: Excess water can suffocate roots and lead to rot, causing wilting.
5. A contractor is preparing to install sod on a residential property. Which of the
following site preparation steps is MOST critical to ensure successful sod
establishment?
A. Applying pesticides before installation
B. Leveling and properly grading the soil surface
C. Installing irrigation after laying sod
D. Cutting sod into smaller pieces
Rationale: Proper grading ensures even rooting and prevents water pooling.
6. A client requests a landscape design that includes both aesthetic appeal and
erosion control on a sloped property. Which solution provides BOTH functional and
visual benefits?
A. Installing only turfgrass
B. Applying fertilizer regularly
,C. Constructing a retaining wall with plantings
D. Using only mulch
Rationale: Retaining walls stabilize soil and enhance landscape appearance.
7. While performing routine maintenance, you are required to prune a mature tree
with several thick branches. Which tool is MOST appropriate for safely and effectively
completing this task?
A. Hedge shears
B. Hand pruners
C. Rake
D. Loppers or pruning saw
Rationale: Thick branches require tools designed for larger cuts.
8. A soil test report indicates that the soil pH is 5.0. Most of the plants selected for
installation prefer a neutral pH. What should be done to correct this issue?
A. Add sulfur
B. Increase irrigation
C. Apply lime to raise the pH
D. Add mulch
Rationale: Lime increases soil pH, making it less acidic.
9. A homeowner wants to reduce weed growth and improve moisture retention in
their flower beds. Which of the following recommendations would BEST meet these
goals?
A. Increase watering frequency
B. Remove all topsoil
C. Apply organic mulch around plants
D. Install artificial turf
Rationale: Mulch suppresses weeds and conserves moisture.
, 10. While designing a landscape plan, you must include hardscape elements. Which
of the following BEST represents hardscaping features?
A. Trees and shrubs
B. Irrigation pipes
C. Fertilizer applications
D. Patios, walkways, and retaining walls
Rationale: Hardscaping includes non-living structural components.
11. A contractor notices soil erosion occurring on a recently graded slope after heavy
rain. Which corrective measure would be MOST effective in stabilizing the soil
quickly?
A. Increase irrigation
B. Apply fertilizer
C. Install erosion control matting or ground cover plants
D. Remove topsoil
Rationale: Matting and vegetation reduce runoff and hold soil in place.
12. A fertilizer bag is labeled 10-10-10. What does the first number represent in this
formulation?
A. Potassium content
B. Phosphorus content
C. Nitrogen content
D. Soil pH
Rationale: The first number in fertilizer labels represents nitrogen.
13. When installing a drainage system, why is it important to maintain a consistent
slope in drainage pipes?
