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.
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.
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
Available Classes
If a class is sold out, please contact us at (847) 835-6801 to be placed on the waitlist. The Garden will contact you if a space becomes available.
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 16 – May 21
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday:
May 9
1 – 4 p.m.
Small Flowering Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
May 12 – June 30
(no class May 26)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks. Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
(no class May 30)
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
5 Tuesdays & 5 Thursdays:
June 2 – July 2
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session D
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
6 Sundays:
June 7 – July 26
(no class June 28 or July 4)
9 a.m. – noon
Ground Covers and Vines
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
July 14 – August 25
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and
Also includes Garden Walks, meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
July 18 – August 22
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
4 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
September 14 – October 21
(no class September 21 or October 12)
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Deciduous Trees
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
September 15 – November 10
(no class October 13 & 20)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
September 19 – November 7
8 – 10 a.m.
(no class October 17 & 24)
Meet at Visitor Center
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
3 Saturdays:
September 19 – October 10
(no class October 3)
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session A Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
September 24 – October 29
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.(online)
6 Sundays:
September 27 – November 1
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5)