Past paper Feb 2022

Question 1

name some non-living windbreaks

Answer 1

hit and miss fencing
trellis
Paraweb
willow/hazel hurdles

Question 2

name some living plant species suitable for use as a windbreak

Answer 2

Fagus sylvatica
Crataegus monogyna
Taxus baccata
Thuja plicata

Question 3

state some benefits of non-living windbreaks

Answer 3

take up little space compared to a hedge
no root competition
quick and easy to erect
limited maintenance required

Question 4

state some limitations of non-living windbreaks

Answer 4

no benefit for wildlife
may be unsightly
wooden fencing needs regular maintenance

Question 5

state some benefits of a LIVING windbreak

Answer 5

aesthetically pleasing
long lived compared to fencing
beneficial to wildlife (birds, predators, pollinators)

Question 6

state some limitations of a LIVING windbreak

Answer 6

takes time to establish
requires annual maintenance/trimming
root competition with fruit/veg crops
can compete with crops for water and nutrients
may harbour pest/diseases

Question 7

explain the ‘no-dig’ system of managing raised beds under each heading; SOIL STRUCTURE

Answer 7

soil structure maintained as ; not walked on therefore does not become compacted

adding large amounts of OM enables worms and other soil borne organisms to incorporate the OM into the soil without the need for it to be dug in.

Question 8

explain the ‘no-dig’ system of managing raised beds under each heading; WEED CONTROL

Answer 8

remove perennial weeds before starting a no-dig system

use cardboard and thick layers of OM to supress weed growth

removed any weeds by hand or hoeing

occasional, persistent perennial weeds could be spot treated with a herbicide eg; Glyphosate

Question 9

explain the ‘no-dig’ system of managing raised beds under each heading SOIL BORNE PESTS

Answer 9

pests eg; slugs/cutworm can build up in the soil - as digging brings them to the surface for predators.

A good soil ecosystem may enhance the pest vs predator balance and help to suppress some.

Question 10

state the typical length and width of a raised bed

Answer 10

1. 2 - 1.6m wide

2. 5 - 3m long

Question 11

describe the production of a crop of carrots (excluding soil prep) under each heading; SOWING

Answer 11

sow thinly in a continuous line
sow feb- june in drills 0.5 - 1.5cm deep, and 15-30cm between drills.
water drills prior to sowing, or after they have been covered and labelled.

Question 12

describe the production of a crop of carrots (excluding soil prep) under each heading; THINNING

Answer 12

thin to 3-7.5cm intervals so remainder of crop can reach its full potential.

Due in evening to reduce damaged by carrot root fly (less active in pm)

removed thinning’s promptly to prevent the root fly from smelling them

smaller carrots can be removed and used as baby vegetables

water remaining crop left and re-firm in ground

Question 13

describe the production of a crop of carrots (excluding soil prep) under each heading; HARVESTING

Answer 13

harvest 12-16 weeks after sowing

water soil prior to harvesting to prevent roots from breaking

lift carefully with a fork, or gently pull from ground by foliage

Question 14

describe how each of the following vegetables may be successfully stored after harvest; ONIONS

Answer 14

must be dry before storing

dry them outside in the sun on racks in a dry location (glasshouse if wet weather)

Takes 2 weeks to dry them, the skins will be papery dry

only keep healthy, undamaged ones in cool, light, well-ventilated, vermin-free areas in nets or old tights - or hang in plaits.

Question 15

describe how each of the following vegetables may be successfully stored after harvest; Potatoes

Answer 15

only maincrop potatoes are suitable for storage

only store the undamaged ones

leave in sun for the skins to dry

remove excess soil

store in sacks of hessian, or thick paper in temps 4-10’c

keep in a dark, cool, dry, frost-free, vermin-free environment eg; garage or shed

Question 16

Describe how quality and yield of an apple tree can be determined by each if the following; BASE DRESSING

Answer 16

apply a base dressing high in phosphorous eg; Bonemeal.

incorporate into planting hole at time of planting - aids establishment and production of a healthy root system which results in a good quality, high yielding tree

Question 17

Describe how quality and yield of an apple tree can be determined by each if the following; WEED CONTROL

Answer 17

weeds compete for nutrients and water
Weeds harbour pests/disease

as apple trees require moisture to swell the fruit, weed control is essential for good quality and yield.

Question 18

Describe how quality and yield of an apple tree can be determined by each if the following; MULCHING

Answer 18

apply well-rotted FYM, garden compost and composted bark
To a depth of 5-10cm around the base of the tree (but not touching trunk of tree)

conserves moisture and supresses weed growth- which all aids a higher quality and yield from tree

Question 19

Describe how quality and yield of an apple tree can be determined by each if the following; TWO named training systems

Answer 19

Espalier
Stepover
cordon

all suitable training systems - the trees should be spur fruiting to maximise yield.

The horizontal training systems encourage more flowers and fruit to develop

Question 20

Describe the production of strawberries under each of the following headings: One named cultivar

Answer 20

Cambridge Favourite
Justaddcream
Elvira

Question 21

Describe the production of strawberries under each of the following headings: Ground Preparation

Answer 21

Digging is carried out in mid spring or late summer/autumn
remove weeds
add well-rotted OM, incorporate into soil
in spring dig again, but rake area to roughly level
consolidate soil
Add general-purpose fertiliser eg; Growmore (100gm2)
Rake area to rough tilth

Question 22

Describe the production of strawberries under each of the following headings: Planting

Answer 22

Plant aug/set or May

space 30-40cm apart in the row

make rows 60-70cm apart

Spread the roots out in the planting hole
Crown of plant must rest on soil surface to avoid crown rot
Back fill with soil, firm gently
Water in well.

Question 23

Describe the production of strawberries under each of the following headings; Harvesting

Answer 23

Harvest on a dry day in morning when most juicy
Pick carefully, must be red/pink all over to avoid bruising with calyx intact
Discard damaged/mouldy fruits
Do not pile too many on top of each other - will bruise/crush.