Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate Program
Professional Gardener Level 2
In the Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate of Merit Program (PGL2), students gain hands-on horticulture and garden design experience and expertise from industry professionals. This program provides a thorough knowledge of more than 500 native and ornamental plants, focusing on their identification, cultural requirements, and use in gardens and the broader landscape. The certificate coursework focuses on gardening techniques throughout the seasons, and an understanding of soils and plant health. It expands upon the horticulture-based Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate with coursework in garden design.
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 2 Certificate class today.
Student Resources
Questions?
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.
Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Botany 1, Soil Basics, or any of the four Gardening Techniques courses.
PLG2 Required Courses | Prerequisites |
| Botany 1 | |
| Botany 2 | Botany 1 |
| Gardening Techniques: Session A | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session B | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session C | |
| Gardening Techniques: Session D | |
| Soil Basics | |
| Plant Health 1 | Botany 1 |
| Plant Health 2 | Plant Health 1 |
| Annuals and Biennials | Botany 1 |
| Conifers and Broad-leaved Evergreens | Botany 1 |
| Decidous Flowering Shrubs | Botany 1 |
| Decidous Trees | Botany 1 |
| Ground Covers and Vines | Botany 1 |
| Hardy Bulbs | |
| Herbaceous Perennials | Botany 1 |
| Small Flowering Trees | Botany 1 |
| Graphics | |
| Introduction to Professional Practice | Graphics (can be taken concurrently) |
| Principles of Garden Design | Graphics & Introduction to Professional Practice |
| Hardscape Basics | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice & Principles of Garden Design |
| Introduction to Grading and Drainage | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice & Principles of Garden Design |
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.
Graphics
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
10 Thursdays:
January 15 – March 19
6 – 8:30 p.m. and
2 Saturdays:
January 24 & 31
1 – 3 p.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session B
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Tuesdays:
January 20 – February 24
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and
6 Saturdays:
January 24 – February 28
10 a.m. – noon (classroom 1)
(rain date Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. – noon)
Introduction to Grading and Drainage
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate and
Garden Design Certificate
8 Mondays:
January 26 – March 23
6:30 – 9 p.m.
(no class February 16) and
2 Saturdays:
March 7 & 14
2 – 5 p.m.
Plant Health 1 | Online
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1,
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
6 Tuesdays & 6 Thursdays:
January 27 – March 5
6 – 8 p.m.
Introduction to Professional Practice
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
Online 11 Wednesdays:
February 11 – April 15
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
February 28 and March 28
1 – 4 p.m.
Hardy Bulbs
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate, Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate, and Garden Design Certificate
7 Tuesdays:
March 24 – May 5
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Also includes Garden Walks.
Meet at Visitor Center.
6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
8 – 10 a.m.
Gardening Techniques | Session C
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
March 26 – April 30
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and
6 Saturdays:
March 28 – May 2
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (classroom 5)
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials, Professional Gardener Level 1 and 2, and Garden Design Certificates
5 Mondays, 5 Wednesdays:
April 6 – May 6
6:30 – 9 p.m.
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.
Principles of Garden Design
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
8 Wednesdays:
May 6 – June 24
6:30 – 9 p.m.
and
2 Saturdays:
April 16 and June 6
1:30 – 4:30 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
6 Saturdays:
May 16 – June 27
no class May 30
8 – 10 a.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 and Certificate Garden Design Certificate
5 Mondays & 7 Wednesdays:
June 1 – June 25
(no class May 26; course starts on Wednesday)
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2 and
Garden Design Certificate
Online 9 Thursdays:
September 10 – November 5
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
On-site 2 Saturdays:
October 3 & 24
2 – 5 p.m.