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
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.
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 |
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.
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