20 questions to test your gardening skills

The best way to learn is by doing, but since we can't do much gardening outdoors now, a quiz about gardening activities will help keep us in touch with what has to happen as soon as we tackle the garden in spring.

There is only one correct answer for each question. Using past Green Scene columns or reading the additional information at the end of this article will clarify the answers. If you'd like to boast about your score, post it online in the comments section for this story on www.washingtonpost.com.

1. How can you make soil with high clay content more fertile?

a) Cultivate generous amounts of sand or fine textured gravel into it.

b) Till in one part compost to one part existing clay, and mix well.

c) Remove the clay and replace with peat moss.

2. When is the best time to plant roses?

a) Install in deep, wide holes as bare root plants in November.

b) In spring, when growth begins.

c) In fall when temperatures are still mild.

3. What is the best way to control erosion on a slope?

a) Plant the area with many trees; their roots will hold the soil in place.