PLNA Releases Updated PCH Manual

HARRISBURG, PA - The Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association proudly announces the release of the newly updated Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist (PCH) Manual, a modern training resource designed to strengthen the state’s green workforce and support the professionals who grow, care for, and steward Pennsylvania’s landscapes. This marks the first comprehensive update in more than a decade, reflecting the industry’s rapid evolution—from new technologies and emerging plant health challenges to shifting workforce needs and rising expectations from employers and customers.

The revised manual features clearer organization, refreshed content, expanded visuals, and updated best practices across core horticultural disciplines. Designed as a turnkey training and onboarding tool for garden centers, landscape firms, and growers, it helps standardize foundational knowledge, build stronger teams, and elevate the professionalism that customers expect from Pennsylvania’s green industry. Students and professionals will find the manual more intuitive and practical, with improved explanations, real-world examples, and enhanced study tools that support both immediate job readiness and long-term career growth.

PLNA encourages industry partners to integrate the new manual into staff training, promote PCH certification within their organizations, and consider participating in PLNA committees to help shape future enhancements. The updated PCH Manual will be officially released at the 2026 PLNA Conference in February, with additional details to follow.

Learn more about the PCH program and certification pathways.