Certificate Programs

This program is designed for people who plan to pursue a career in the horticulture industries and for highly motivated home gardeners who want an in-depth understanding of plants and gardens. Horticulture certificate courses impart broad knowledge of plant growth and plant uses, with a focus on horticulture in an urban environment. Many students use the certificate to prepare for entry-level positions in the horticulture industry or to seek advancement in their current profession.

Courses combine lectures with hands-on learning and are taught at a community college level and require a significant investment of personal time in addition to class hours. You must attend two-thirds of the class sessions and achieve a passing grade (70% or higher) on the final exam or project to pass each course. Upon successful completion of all eight courses, you will receive an official Certificate of Merit from Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Please send any questions about the Certificate in Horticulture at Brooklyn Botanic Garden to continuinged@bbg.org.

Classes may be taken in any order, but it is recommended that students start with beginning courses, moving on to secondary and then final courses.

Current Class Listings

✔ Adult classes registration is now open.
✔ Children's Garden program registration is now open.

Click on a class title to view more information.

	Class Name	Category	Instructor	Start Date
	Botany for Horticulturists Section B A strong foundation in botany is essential to understanding how to maintain a healthy landscape. This course includes discussions on plant anatomy, plant life cycles and reproduction, taxonomy, and plant physiology. This course requires no previous knowledge of botany and is recommended as a first course in the certificate. Required text: Introductory Plant Biology, by Kingsley Stern. SECTION FULL. Contact Registration to add your name to the waiting list. 7 Thursdays: March 29; April 5, 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10 | 6–9 p.m. $310 member, $344 nonmember (Fee includes $7 materials charge.)  Permalink	Certificate in Horticulture	Barbara Kushner Kurland Uli Lorimer	Mar 29, 2012
	Soil Management The planning that goes into creating a beautiful garden is wasted if the soil is poor. Learn about soil structure, fertility, and water availability to understand what happens underground. Learn to improve the soil with amendments and other techniques. Lectures are supplemented by hands-on lab sessions. Students receive a copy of the BBG handbook Healthy Soils for Sustainable Gardens. Required text: Teaming with Microbes, by Jeff Lowenfels. SECTION FULL. Contact Registration to add your name to the waiting list. 6 Wednesdays: March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2 | 6–9 p.m $284 member, $314 nonmember (Fee includes $15 materials charge.)  Permalink	Certificate in Horticulture	Uli Lorimer Jenny Blackwell	Mar 28, 2012
	Urban Garden Design Section B This class begins with a foundation in the history of garden design and offers a brief overview of landscape design principles, materials, and plants. Each student then creates a design for an urban garden. <1> A supply list will be provided at the first session. 6 Thursdays: March 1, 8, 15, 29; April 5, 12 | 6–9 p.m. $276 member, $306 nonmember (Fee includes $7 materials charge.)  Permalink	Certificate in Horticulture	Nigel Rollings	Mar 1, 2012

The Certificate in Floral Design is ideal for people who plan to pursue a career in the floral design industry or for motivated hobbyists. The curriculum includes eight courses, taught by experienced floral designers. You must attend two-thirds of the class sessions to pass each course. Students who successfully complete all eight courses receive an official Certificate of Completion from BBG. To qualify for a certificate, all classes must be registered through BBG. Classes taken at other floral schools may not apply toward the certificate unless the class is offered in partnership with BBG or credit is preapproved by the Continuing Education Department.

Please send any questions about the Certificate in Floral Design at Brooklyn Botanic Garden to continuinged@bbg.org.

Both Basic and Intermediate Flower Arranging (or comparable experience with approval) are prerequisites for the other courses, which may be taken in any order.

Required Classes

Current Class Listings

✔ Adult classes registration is now open.
✔ Children's Garden program registration is now open.

Click on a class title to view more information.

	Class Name	Category	Instructor	Start Date
	Wedding Arrangements Learn to make bouquets, corsages, pew decorations, centerpieces, and headpieces in the styles and flowers that most brides want. Bring your toolbox. Prerequisite: Intermediate Flower Arranging. FAST TRACK Monday–Thursday, April 30–May 3 | 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. $501 member; $528 nonmember (Fee includes $260 materials charge.)  Permalink	Certificate in Floral Design	Rose Edinger	Apr 30, 2012
	Dried and Silk Arrangements Learn the techniques to design with dried and silk materials alone and in combination with fresh flowers and foliage. Please bring clippers or a floral knife. 2 Sundays: April 15 and 22 | 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. $237 member; $254 nonmember (Fee includes $110 materials charge. )  Permalink	Certificate in Floral Design	Joan E. Prior	Apr 15, 2012
	Designs of the Times Learn current trends in the floral design industry. Create the designs that are in demand now, such as theme-party designs, seasonal arrangements, and advanced designs. Bring your toolbox. Prerequisites: Basic and Intermediate Flower Arranging. 4 Tuesdays: April 3, 10, 17, 24 | 6–9 p.m $353 member; $376 nonmember (Fee includes $180 materials charge. )  Permalink	Certificate in Floral Design	Ian Tonnessen	Apr 3, 2012
	Sympathy Designs To work in the industry you must be familiar with the unique styles and techniques of sympathy arrangements. Learn about communication and etiquette with the bereaved family as well as the mechanics and design of arrangements for funerals and memorials. Bring your toolbox. Prerequisite: Basic and Intermediate Flower Arranging 4 Sundays: March 11, 18, 25; April 1 | 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m $427 member; $450 nonmember (Fee includes $210 materials charge.)  Permalink	Certificate in Floral Design	Robb Moss	Mar 11, 2012
	Intermediate Flower Arranging Learn advanced styles and complicated design mechanics with a variety of fresh flowers. This class allows you to be more expressive in your designs. You’ll master techniques for parallel designs, vase arrangements, and working without floral foam, among other topics. Lectures, hands-on workshops, and critiques are included. Prerequisite: Basic Flower Arranging. 5 Tuesdays: February 21, 28; March 6, 20, 27 | 6–9 p.m. (No class March 13) $407 member; $430 nonmember (Fee includes $190 materials charge.)  Permalink	Certificate in Floral Design	Rose Edinger	Feb 21, 2012