AL Landscape study guide
AL Landscape · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The AL Landscape exam is a multiple-choice assessment of the working knowledge expected of a landscape professional, covering design and planning, plant selection and horticulture, construction and materials, grading and drainage, irrigation and water management, maintenance, sustainability, and the business side of estimating and project management. It suits people moving into landscape contracting, design-build, grounds management or horticultural roles who need to demonstrate breadth rather than a single specialty. The AL Landscape study guide has 8 sections and about 2,474 words.
01Landscape Design and Planning
Landscape design questions test whether you can move from client program to a buildable, legible plan. Know the design process sequence: site inventory and analysis, program development, conceptual/schematic design, design development, construction documents.
294 words, about 1 min02Plant Selection and Horticulture
Plant selection questions reward matching plant to site: light, soil, moisture, hardiness zone, mature size, and maintenance tolerance. Know the difference between USDA hardiness zones (cold minimums) and heat/AHS zones, and that neither captures soil pH or drainage.
337 words, about 2 min03Landscape Construction and Materials
Construction questions test material properties, assembly, and detailing. Know the major hardscape families: unit pavers (interlocking, clay brick, concrete), poured concrete, asphalt, natural stone (flagstone, bluestone, granite), and decomposed granite.
299 words, about 1 min04Site Grading and Drainage
Grading questions test whether you can read and set elevations, slopes, and flow. Know the difference between spot elevations, contour lines, and slope expressed as percent, ratio, and degrees.
327 words, about 2 min05Irrigation and Water Management
Irrigation questions test system components, hydraulics, and water efficiency. Know the anatomy: water source, backflow prevention, mainline, valves, lateral lines, heads (spray, rotor, drip), controllers, and sensors (rain, soil moisture).
312 words, about 2 min06Landscape Maintenance and Management
Maintenance questions test how designed landscapes perform over time. Know the core practices: pruning, mowing, fertilization, mulching, weed and pest management, and seasonal cleanup.
312 words, about 2 min07Sustainability and Environmental Practices
Sustainability questions test whether you can reduce inputs and environmental impact while meeting the program. Know the core ideas: water conservation (native/adapted plants, efficient irrigation, rain harvesting), soil health (compost, avoiding compaction, preserving topsoil), stormwater management (infiltration, bioretention, permeable surfaces), and habitat (native plants, connectivity, avoiding invasives).
289 words, about 1 min08Business, Estimating, and Project Management
Business questions test the numbers and process behind a project. Know estimating methods: unit cost (cost per square foot, per plant, per linear foot), assembly/crew-based estimating, and historical data.
304 words, about 2 min