Garden Design Certificate Program
Garden Design Certificate Program
The Garden Design Certificate (GDC) consists of a unique curriculum that provides the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a garden design professional. It features a solid foundation in plantsmanship and science-based gardening techniques, both of which are essential to creating successful gardens for a wide spectrum of projects—from private residences to municipal plantings.
Who should participate? Aspiring professional garden designers, and gardeners and garden designers seeking professional development. There are no prerequisites to start the program, and no prior horticulture experience is needed.
Student Resources
Course Overview
Program Policies
FAQ Brochure
Graduation
Questions?
Contact Stana, student advisor:
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Program Requirements
The program requirements include 23 required courses and 24 instructional hours of elective courses. Botany 1 is recommended to take first or early in your curriculum given it is a prerequisite for many other courses. Students on average complete this program within three years. All requirements for the certificate must be completed within seven years of the start date of our 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.
Garden Design 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 | Botany 1 |
| 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 |
| Planting Design | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design & Hardscape Basics |
| Garden Design Implementation | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, and Introduction to Grading |
| Garden Design Studio | Graphics, Introduction to Professional Practice, Principles of Garden Design, Hardscape Basics, and Garden Design |
CHOICE OF TWO OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES |
| Gardening Techniques: Session A |
| Gardening Techniques: Session B |
| Gardening Techniques: Session C |
| Gardening Techniques: Session D |
GDC Elective Courses |
24 instructional hours of GDC elective credit is required |
Perennial Plant Combinations: Online
Garden Design Certificate
Saturday, May 4
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Botany 2
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
& Garden Design Certificate
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
May 13 – June 26
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
(no class May 27 & June 19)
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.
Maximizing Texture in the Garden: Online
Garden Design Certificate
Thursday, May 23
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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)
or
5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:
September 9 – October 16
6:30 – 9 p.m.
(no class October 2 & October 14)
Hardscape Basics
Online and On-site Hybrid
Professional Gardener Level 2
& Garden Design Certificate
Online 9 Thursdays:
June 20 – August 22
6:30 – 9 p.m. &
On-site 2 Saturdays:
June 29 & August 3
2 – 5 p.m.
(no class July 4)
Plant Health 2
6 Mondays & 6 Wednesdays:
July 15 – August 21
6 – 8 p.m.
Rain date: August 26, 6 – 8 p.m.
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.
Soil Basics, Intensive Session
3 Saturdays:
September 7, 14 & 28
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(no class September 21)
Deciduous Trees
7 Tuesdays:
September 17 – November 5, 2024
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
(no class October 8)
Also includes Garden Walks
Meet at Visitor Center
6 Saturdays:
September 21 – November 2
9 – 11 a.m.
(no class October 12)
Gardening Techniques: Session A
5 Thursdays:
September 26 – October 31
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. (online)
(no class October 3)
and
6 Sundays:
September 29 – November 3
10 a.m. – noon (Classroom 5)
Please note that the Sunday, October 6, 2024, class session is from 9 a.m. to noon