Gardening

Program Description

Ready to dig into a career where your passion for plants meets professional expertise? Our Professional Gardening Certificate program at Hennepin Tech is designed to equip you with the skills needed to excel in the world of ornamental and vegetable gardening.

From designing and installing beautiful gardens to mastering seasonal displays and container plantings, this program prepares you to create and maintain vibrant landscapes in residential, commercial, and institutional settings.

Learn essential techniques like plant production, site preparation, plant and pest identification, pruning, and garden maintenance planning. You’ll also gain insights into tool selection, proper use, and basic business practices—everything you need to thrive as a gardening professional. With hands-on training from industry experts, you’ll be ready to tackle any garden challenge, whether it’s in a backyard, public park, or commercial space.

Start cultivating your future with a career that lets you grow and create beautiful, sustainable spaces that make a lasting impact on your community.

Program Information

• Overview
• Accreditation & Affiliations
• Awards & Certifications
• Faculty

Overview

Workforce services for eligible adults are available through this program authorized by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Click for more info!

Multi-term Registration Available!

Class Time: Day and Evening
Semester: Fall, Spring or Summer Start
Campus: Brooklyn Park

Course Search

Skills Required

If you’re ready to Get Started, you can begin the admissions process now. If you have questions, contact Enrollment Services for helpful information.

Wages/Outlook/Advancement

Wage and Job Outlook information for this program are available at Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED).

Career opportunities abound for graduates, with potential roles in landscape design, installation, and maintenance across various environments. Work with landscape companies, garden centers, nurseries, golf courses, municipal parks, community gardens, or public works departments.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Our Landscape Program hosts the MNLA Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional test every January. This is a regional test for industry professionals to become certified in the areas of Landscape Design, Greenhouse Growing and Garden Center Operations.

• Our landscape program is very active at the state level with the MNLA.
• Our student club is a member of PLANET. This allows our students access to many national green industry benefits.
• The Landscape and Horticulture program became the first TREE CAMPUS USA in the state of Minnesota.

Articulations

If you choose to continue your education, visit the Minnesota Transfer website to see all current agreements.

Industry Partners

Our Advisory Committee consists of many industry professionals that represent the best in Greenhouse Technology, Landscape Design, and Urban Forestry.

Award Name	Award Type	Location	Planning Guide	WIOA
Professional Gardening	Certificate	Brooklyn Park	PDF	Yes

Some of the General Education requirements have changed and are not reflected in the current catalog. Please schedule an appointment with your program advisor to see how this might affect you.

Amy Birdsall
Phone: 763-488-2470
Email: Amy.Birdsall@HennepinTech.edu

Christina Jerkins
Phone: 763-488-2555
Email: Christina.Jerkins@HennepinTech.edu