September 2020 paper

Question 1

what are the methods of sowing hardy annuals outdoors?

Answer 1

broadcasting
sowing in drills
station sowing

Question 2

describe broad cast sowing of hardy annuals

Answer 2

broad cast seeds evenly over the surface of the ground and then lightly rake in

Question 3

describe how you sow hardy annuals outdoors if you sow them in drills

Answer 3

draw out a drill to a depth of 1-2cm

sow the seed evenly along the drill

cover the drill over by drawing the soil back over it with the back of a rake, and then tamp down

Question 4

describe how you station sow hardy annuals outdoors

Answer 4

make a hole to the correct depth (according to the seed size) using a dibber.
place 1-3 seeds in each hole
replace the soil and firm

Question 5

name 6 hardy annuals

Answer 5

Calendula officinalis
Nigella damascena
Centaurea cyanus
Lathyrus odoratus
Limnanthes douglasii
Amni majus

Question 6

describe the symptoms of the following diseases on herbaceous perennials: Powdery mildew

Answer 6

produces white, dusty spreading patches of the fungus on both surfaces of the leaves, flowers and buds.

Plant tissue can become stunted and distorted.
The infected plant parts can turn a purple-brown colour

Question 7

describe the symptoms of the following diseases on herbaceous perennials: grey mould

Answer 7

a fuzzy-grey/brown mould that affects soft plant tissue, leaves and flowers.

spreads rapidly in high humidity.
The disease causes a slimy rot and death of the plant

Question 8

name 4 herbaceous perennials suitable for growing in an herbaceous border

Answer 8

Alchemilla mollis
Echinacea purpurea
Rudbeckia fulgida sullivantii var. 'Gldsturm'
Phlox paniculata 'White Admiral'
Verbena bonariensis

Question 9

what is meant by the term ‘climber’?

Answer 9

it is a plant that has modifications/adaptions which enable it to climb
eg; twining stems, tendrils, twisting leaf petioles

Question 10

what is meant by the term ‘wall shrub’?

Answer 10

it is a woody plant that requires training to grow by a wall.
It benefits from the microclimate provided by the wall and can be grown there for decoration.

Question 11

name four climbers

Answer 11

Clematis montana
Hedera helix
Thunbergia alata
Lathyrus odoratus

Question 12

name 4 wall shrubs

Answer 12

Jasminum officinale
Wisteria sinensis
Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle)
Cotoneaster horizontalis

Question 13

if you are mulching a rock or alpine garden (as a maintenance task), what materials would you use?

Answer 13

limestone chippings
granite chippings
grit or gravel 2-10mm in size

Question 14

describe the maintenance task of mulching an alpine or rock garden under the heading; maintenance of feature prior to mulching

Answer 14

weed with a hand fork
trim/shape plants as required
removal of dead, diseased, damaged plant material
restore any eroded soil levels
resetting displaced rocks

Question 15

if you are mulching a rock or alpine garden (as a maintenance task) - describe the task of mulching

Answer 15

ensure the layer of mulch is even - should be 15-30mm deep
lift up carpeting leaves and place mulch underneath them - up to their collar
avoid getting mulch on the crown of plants

Question 16

name 4 alpine garden plants for a summer display

Answer 16

Armeria juniperiafolia-the thing i have on the wall
Dianthus alpinus
Dryas octopetala
Sedum spurium

Question 17

name 4 rock garden plants for a summer display

Answer 17

Lewisia cotyledon
Phlox douglasii
Pulsatilla vulgaris
Dryas octopetala
Dianthus alpinus
Sedum spurium

Question 18

what is meant by the term; marginal plants?

Answer 18

they grow in shallow water
water is over the crown of the plant
roots are fully submerged
foliage is above the level of the water
plants can be planted in containers, or in soil in a natural pond
they are plants on the first shelf of a pond

Question 19

what is meant by the term; bog plant?

Answer 19

they are planted in situ - directly in soil over the membrane
the soil must be constantly wet/moist and not dry out
bog plants grow well in soil that is temporarily waterlogged

Question 20

name two marginal plants

Answer 20

Iris pseud-a-corus

Ran-un-culus flammula

Question 21

name 2 bog plants

Answer 21

Gunnera manicata

Primula denticulata

Question 22

state the characteristics of a growing media suitable for a marginal plant

Answer 22

needs to be;

heavy
loam based
low in OM and nutrients.
Must be low in Nitrogen to prevent algal bloom.

You can use garden soil but it must be free from fertiliser, pesticides, weeds, pests and diseases

Question 23

describe the maintenance of a high quality lawn under the heading; aeration

Answer 23

takes place during spring or autumn.
use a fork, hollow tine fork or aerator with spike

aeration is carried out to a depth of 50-100mm and the tines are spaced 100-200mm apart.

if you use a hollow tine, a core of soil is removed from the lawn.
if you use an aerator, make sure spacing between the holes is 0.5m

Question 24

describe the maintenance of a high quality lawn under the heading; two methods of controlling weeds.

Answer 24

hand weeding;
use a spade or fork to remove all the roots.
do either when the weeds are seen, or during spring/autumn.
weed in conjunction with feeding, aeration and scarifying the lawn

herbicide;
use a selective herbicide eg; 2,4-D and spray they whole lawn.
you can incorporate it into feed which is applied during spring or autumn.