Texas Certified Landscape Associate (TCLA)
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions And Answers
1. In Texas landscapes, which turfgrass is MOST drought-tolerant?
A. St. Augustinegrass
B. Bermudagrass
C. Tall Fescue
D. Buffalograss (Correct Answer)
Rationale:
Buffalograss is native to Texas and highly drought-tolerant, requiring less irrigation than most
turf species.
2. A soil test shows a pH of 8.2. This soil condition is classified as:
A. Acidic
B. Neutral
C. Alkaline (Correct Answer)
D. Saline
Rationale:
A pH above 7.0 indicates alkalinity. Many Texas soils are naturally alkaline.
3. The BEST irrigation method for minimizing evaporation loss in Texas heat is:
A. Midday overhead watering
B. Flood irrigation
C. Drip irrigation (Correct Answer)
D. Hand watering at noon
Rationale:
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots, reducing evaporation.
,4. A landscape contractor discovers a gas line before digging. The appropriate
action is to:
A. Continue digging carefully
B. Stop work and contact 811 utility locate service (Correct Answer)
C. Cover it and proceed
D. Relocate the line independently
Rationale:
Texas law requires contacting 811 before excavation near utilities.
5. Which plant is considered a Texas native and heat tolerant?
A. Japanese Maple
B. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) (Correct Answer)
C. Hydrangea macrophylla
D. English Ivy
Rationale:
Texas Sage thrives in arid, hot conditions and is widely used in xeriscapes.
6. The primary purpose of mulch in landscape beds is to:
A. Increase soil pH
B. Reduce moisture loss and suppress weeds (Correct Answer)
C. Replace fertilizer
D. Attract insects
Rationale:
Mulch conserves moisture and inhibits weed growth.
7. When calculating fertilizer application rates, the percentage on the bag refers
to:
A. Weight of entire bag
B. Percentage of nutrient by weight (Correct Answer)
C. Application area
D. Water content
,Rationale:
Fertilizer labels list N-P-K as percentages of total product weight.
8. A landscape slope greater than 3:1 presents a concern primarily for:
A. Pest infestation
B. Erosion risk (Correct Answer)
C. Over-fertilization
D. Soil alkalinity
Rationale:
Steep slopes increase runoff and erosion potential.
9. The BEST time to prune spring-flowering shrubs in Texas is:
A. Late winter before bloom
B. Mid-summer
C. Immediately after flowering (Correct Answer)
D. During peak bloom
Rationale:
Pruning after bloom preserves next season’s flower buds.
10. A backflow prevention device is required to:
A. Increase pressure
B. Prevent contamination of potable water (Correct Answer)
C. Improve drainage
D. Reduce evaporation
Rationale:
Backflow devices protect drinking water from irrigation contaminants.
11. In Texas, pesticide applicators must follow instructions on the:
A. Invoice
B. Sales brochure
, C. Product label (Correct Answer)
D. Equipment manual
Rationale:
The pesticide label is legally enforceable.
12. Which irrigation component regulates water pressure to prevent misting?
A. Solenoid valve
B. Controller
C. Pressure regulator (Correct Answer)
D. Rain sensor
Rationale:
Pressure regulators ensure proper operating pressure.
13. Compacted soil primarily reduces:
A. Fertility
B. Root oxygen availability (Correct Answer)
C. Mulch depth
D. pH level
Rationale:
Compaction limits air space needed for root respiration.
14. The MOST effective strategy for water conservation in Texas landscapes is:
A. Daily shallow watering
B. Deep, infrequent irrigation (Correct Answer)
C. Midday irrigation
D. Removing mulch
Rationale:
Deep watering promotes deeper root growth and drought resistance.
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions And Answers
1. In Texas landscapes, which turfgrass is MOST drought-tolerant?
A. St. Augustinegrass
B. Bermudagrass
C. Tall Fescue
D. Buffalograss (Correct Answer)
Rationale:
Buffalograss is native to Texas and highly drought-tolerant, requiring less irrigation than most
turf species.
2. A soil test shows a pH of 8.2. This soil condition is classified as:
A. Acidic
B. Neutral
C. Alkaline (Correct Answer)
D. Saline
Rationale:
A pH above 7.0 indicates alkalinity. Many Texas soils are naturally alkaline.
3. The BEST irrigation method for minimizing evaporation loss in Texas heat is:
A. Midday overhead watering
B. Flood irrigation
C. Drip irrigation (Correct Answer)
D. Hand watering at noon
Rationale:
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots, reducing evaporation.
,4. A landscape contractor discovers a gas line before digging. The appropriate
action is to:
A. Continue digging carefully
B. Stop work and contact 811 utility locate service (Correct Answer)
C. Cover it and proceed
D. Relocate the line independently
Rationale:
Texas law requires contacting 811 before excavation near utilities.
5. Which plant is considered a Texas native and heat tolerant?
A. Japanese Maple
B. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) (Correct Answer)
C. Hydrangea macrophylla
D. English Ivy
Rationale:
Texas Sage thrives in arid, hot conditions and is widely used in xeriscapes.
6. The primary purpose of mulch in landscape beds is to:
A. Increase soil pH
B. Reduce moisture loss and suppress weeds (Correct Answer)
C. Replace fertilizer
D. Attract insects
Rationale:
Mulch conserves moisture and inhibits weed growth.
7. When calculating fertilizer application rates, the percentage on the bag refers
to:
A. Weight of entire bag
B. Percentage of nutrient by weight (Correct Answer)
C. Application area
D. Water content
,Rationale:
Fertilizer labels list N-P-K as percentages of total product weight.
8. A landscape slope greater than 3:1 presents a concern primarily for:
A. Pest infestation
B. Erosion risk (Correct Answer)
C. Over-fertilization
D. Soil alkalinity
Rationale:
Steep slopes increase runoff and erosion potential.
9. The BEST time to prune spring-flowering shrubs in Texas is:
A. Late winter before bloom
B. Mid-summer
C. Immediately after flowering (Correct Answer)
D. During peak bloom
Rationale:
Pruning after bloom preserves next season’s flower buds.
10. A backflow prevention device is required to:
A. Increase pressure
B. Prevent contamination of potable water (Correct Answer)
C. Improve drainage
D. Reduce evaporation
Rationale:
Backflow devices protect drinking water from irrigation contaminants.
11. In Texas, pesticide applicators must follow instructions on the:
A. Invoice
B. Sales brochure
, C. Product label (Correct Answer)
D. Equipment manual
Rationale:
The pesticide label is legally enforceable.
12. Which irrigation component regulates water pressure to prevent misting?
A. Solenoid valve
B. Controller
C. Pressure regulator (Correct Answer)
D. Rain sensor
Rationale:
Pressure regulators ensure proper operating pressure.
13. Compacted soil primarily reduces:
A. Fertility
B. Root oxygen availability (Correct Answer)
C. Mulch depth
D. pH level
Rationale:
Compaction limits air space needed for root respiration.
14. The MOST effective strategy for water conservation in Texas landscapes is:
A. Daily shallow watering
B. Deep, infrequent irrigation (Correct Answer)
C. Midday irrigation
D. Removing mulch
Rationale:
Deep watering promotes deeper root growth and drought resistance.
