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.
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.
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.
Gardening Techniques: Session B
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Tuesdays:
January 21 – February 25
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and
6 Saturdays:
January 25 – March 1
10 a.m. – noon (classroom 4)
(rain date Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. – noon)
Plant Health 1
Online Course
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1,
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
6 Tuesdays & 6 Thursdays:
January 21 – March 4
no class February 20 6 – 8 p.m.
Deciduous Flowering Shrubs
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
March 11 – April 29
Classroom 1, Learning Center
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
no class March 18 and 22
Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
March 15 – April 26
Meet at Visitor Center
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 20 – April 24
5 – 6 p.m. (online) and
6 Saturdays:
March 22 – April 26
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (classroom 5)
Botany 1
Ornamental Plant Materials Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
& Garden Design Certificate
5 Mondays & 5 Wednesdays:
March 31 – April 30
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Soil Basics
Professional Gardener Level 1 Certificate,
Professional Gardener Level 2 Certificate,
and Garden Design Certificate
6 Thursdays:
April 10 – May 22
6:30 – 9 p.m. and
Saturday, May 3
1 – 4 p.m.
no class May 15
Annuals and Biennials
Certificate Ornamental Plant Materials
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 1
Certificate Professional Gardener Level 2
and Certificate Garden Design
7 Tuesdays:
May 13 – June 24
Classroom 1, Learning Center
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Garden Walks
6 Saturdays:
May 17 – June 21
Meet at Visitor Center
8 – 10 a.m.