Curriculum

Professional Gardener students participate in a rigorous academic curriculum. Courses are organized into four semesters over the course of two years as follows:

1st Semester - January through March, Year 1
Principles of Horticulture
Fundamentals of Soil Science
Applications of Modern Mathematics
History & Theory of Garden Design
Floral Design
Fruit & Vegetable Culture

2nd Semester - July - through September, Year 1
Entomology
Greenhouse Management
Communication
Introduction to Landscape Design
Turfgrass Management

3rd Semester - January through March , Year 2
Arboriculture & Pruning
Plant Propagation
Landscape Design & Construction
Equipment Operation & Maintenance
Conservatory Plant Identification & Management
Business Management

4th Semester - September through December, Year 2
Floricultural Crop Production
Weed Identification & Management
Plant Ecology & Sustainable Practices
Plant Pathology
Capstone Garden Project

In addition to these courses, Professional Gardener students also are required to complete eight courses from the Certificate of Merit in Ornamental Plants series. Courses in this series focus on identification, culture, and garden use of hundreds of ornamental plants and are offered in the evening through Longwood's Continuing Education program. Each course covers a group of plants, such as Annuals, Shade Perennials, Deciduous Trees, etc.