Certificate Programs Professional Gardener Level 1

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate Program

Professional Gardener Level 1

In the Professional Gardener Certificate of Merit Program (PGL1), students gain the fundamental knowledge and skills required of garden professionals. This program provides a foundational knowledge of native and ornamental plants, a focus on gardening techniques throughout the seasons, and an understanding of soils and plant health. The certificate coursework features hands-on learning leading to a new career or career advancement in the horticulture industry.

Who should participate? Aspiring professional gardeners, landscape technicians, landscape maintenance professionals, and other green-industry individuals seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites to start the program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed. Sign up for a Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate class today.

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Student Resources

Course Overview
Program Policies
FAQ Brochure
Graduation
Questions?

Contact Stana, student advisor:   
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Program Requirements

The Professional Gardener Certificate represents a competency-based qualification relevant to the region's industry — learn what it takes to meet and exceed standards of horticultural excellence. The program requirements include eleven required horticulture courses.

All requirements for the certificate must be completed within five years of the start date of your first core course. For the certificate, a grade of at least 70 percent must be achieved for each core course.

A wide variety of elective course topics are offered so you can customize your coursework based on your interests and goals. Elective course topics range from successful plant combinations to sustainable practices to plant recommendations from horticulture experts. The elective courses are not graded so credit is recorded by attendance. Most elective courses do not incorporate quizzes or exams.

Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Botany 1, Soil Basics, or any of the four Gardening Techniques courses.

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate Program
 

Pgl1 Required Courses

Botany 1 
Gardening Techniques: Session A 
Gardening Techniques: Session B 
Gardening Techniques: Session C 
Gardening Techniques: Session D 
Soil Basics 
Plant Health 1*
 

Choose 4 of the following

Annuals and Biennials*
Conifers and Broad-leaved Evergreens*
Decidous Flowering Shrubs*
Decidous Trees*
Ground Covers and Vines*
Hardy Bulbs*
Herbaceous Perennials*
Small Flowering Trees*
 
 

* Classes that require Botany 1 as a prerequisite

 

Gardening Techniques: Session C

Online and On-site Hybrid

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,  
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,  
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays Online:  
March 21 – April 25  
5 – 6 p.m. &  
6 Saturdays On-site:  
March 23 – April 27  
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Hardy Bulbs

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, 
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays: 
March 26 – May 7 
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
6 Saturdays: 
March 30 – May 4 
8 – 10 a.m.

Certificate Classes

Botany 1

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,     
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,     
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,     
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Tuesdays & 4 Thursdays: 
June 4 – July 9 
6:30 – 9 p.m.  
(no class July 4)

Soil

Soil Basics

Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, 
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, 
& Garden Design Certificate

6 Thursdays: 
April 11 – May 23 
no class May 16 
6:30 – 9 p.m. & 
Saturday, May 4 
1 – 4 p.m.

Small Flowering Trees

Small Flowering Trees

Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,   
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,   
& Garden Design Certificate

7 Tuesdays: 
May 21 – July 2  
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  
Also includes Garden Walks 
6 Saturdays:  
May 25 – June 29  
8 – 10 a.m.

Gardening Techniques

Gardening Techniques: Session D

6 Sundays:
July 14 – August 18
9 a.m. – noon

Vines

Ground Covers and Vines

7 Tuesdays:
July 16 – August 27
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
July 20 – August 24
8 – 10 a.m.