UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the last leaves fall from their branches, professional landscapers face a well-deserved slower winter season ahead. To help landscapers get the most from their off-season, Penn State Extension developed a series of online landscape skills courses.

Along with appealing to garden enthusiasts, these courses are ideal for green industry professionals, including landscape contractors, landscape maintenance professionals and horticulturists. In an industry with high turnover for entry-level positions, the courses can benefit people seeking employment in landscape design, installation and maintenance, and landscape businesses wanting to provide additional training for experienced employees.

“Landscape professionals are busy from spring through the fall with little time for professional development,” said Ruth Benner, commercial horticulture extension educator based in Erie County. “Training during the slower months of winter will help these employees be well prepared for the coming season by increasing their knowledge and skills.”

The course library includes training in plant identification, pruning trees and shrubs, plant biology and taxonomy, and pest and disease management, among other areas.

Benner explained that the topics were selected based on the results of an industry survey, interviews with owners and supervisors at landscape contracting companies, and through discussions with the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association and extension educators about common landscape challenges across Pennsylvania. This revealed the topics of greatest priority for training.

Eichenlaub Inc., a large landscaping company in Pittsburgh, has utilized several courses to train its employees. The company's staff development coordinator, Diane Ferrari, said she found the courses about pruning and plant identification particularly useful. Eichenlaub purchases course seats for their employees, an investment that helps workers stay engaged during the slow winter months, Ferrari noted.

Those interested in registering employees for courses should look for the “Register a Group” button on the online course product page. This allows the group leader or manager to purchase multiple registration seats in a course and then assign them to individuals in a group, team or entire organization as needed.

“In a market with short labor supply, employers are utilizing professional development as a tool to attract and retain employees,” said Michael Masiuk, Penn State Extension assistant director for horticulture programs. “The landscape skills online courses were developed in collaboration with the industry to provide high-quality training companies can access 24/7.”

Additionally, the courses enable landscapers to catch up on Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator recertification credits. Many courses also qualify for Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist continuing education credits.

This fall, Extension launched three new online courses: “Plant Identification and Usage: Coniferous Trees,” “Weed Management for Ornamental Landscapes” and “Plant Identification and Usage: Deciduous Shrubs.”

In the course “Plant Identification and Usage: Coniferous Trees,” landscapers learn the identification features of 35 common coniferous trees of the Northeast, the cultural requirements of coniferous trees, common insect and disease problems, basic pruning requirements and timing, and how to select coniferous trees for the landscape.

In “Weed Management for Ornamental Landscapes,” landscapers learn how to identify and manage weeds in the northern United States using integrated pest management and herbicides.

“Plant Identification and Usage: Deciduous Shrubs” teaches landscapers how to identify 43 common deciduous shrubs of the Northeast, the cultural requirements of deciduous shrubs, common insect and disease problems, and basic pruning requirements.

“I’m looking forward to reviewing the new courses and incorporating them into our trainings,” Ferrari said.

Sandy Feather, a green industry extension educator in Allegheny County, explained that the courses teach information that will be reinforced by work in the field. They help landscape companies set up new employees for success.

“Well-trained employees can work efficiently and boost a company’s bottom line,” Feather said.

For Ferrari, the courses are an excellent training tool. “We’ve developed in-house training, but that takes time and effort,” she said. “These courses are already there.” She praised extension educators for being reputable and possessing “true green industry knowledge.”

“I trust Penn State Extension to put out a good product,” she said.

More information and registration for Extension's library of “Green Industry Professional Development Courses” can be found at https://extension.psu.edu/landscape-professional-development.

These courses were supported by contributions from the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association.

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The PCH Associate program for employees is focused on testing the knowledge of those individuals who have not yet gained the experience to pass the high level competency required by the professional PCH program. The PCH Associate is a stepping stone to attaining the professional PCH designation.

The PCH Associate program was initially created to provide an industry recognized exam to high school and career and technical school horticulture program students as requested by the PA Department of Education. As the Board of Directors reviewed the program they realized this may be what many employers are looking for to help advance their employees within their company.

The exam tests knowledge in plant health care practices, basic botany, soils and climate and plant identification. For an employee without any formal education in horticulture, this level of knowledge could be attained after just a few years of employment depending on the training and experience offered to the employee. So an employee taking and passing the PCH Associate exam is the perfect testament to the quality and effectiveness of your training programs as compared to industry standards.

For PLNA members, it is a $50 investment for each employee to enter the program. Each applicant has one year to pass the 100 question exam. Exams can be proctored by the employer or the employees can go to a local Penn State Extension office.

Upon successful passing the exam (80%), there are recertification requirements. The new PCH Associate will be required to obtain 12 (twelve) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in a two year time frame. A recertification fee will also be required.

For more information on the program or to apply, click here or contact Cathy Corrigan at ccorrigan@PLNA.com or 717.238.1673.

Sustainable landscapes are one of the fastest growing areas in horticulture encompassing the use of native plants, green infrastructure and stormwater management to provide environmental benefits. Accordingly, there are many governmental regulations that come into play when installing sustainable landscapes and the municipal and consumer demand continues to grow exponentially to comply with those regulations.
It became apparent as more individuals require the background and knowledge to design, install and maintain sustainable landscapes that we needed to separate the programs. While the two programs definitely overlap in many areas, the plant base and use differs significantly enough that the two programs could be separated. The competency required by the PCH program includes plant knowledge that extends beyond the sustainable landscape needs. The SLC program tests knowledge specifically in the use and benefits of native plants in the sustainable landscape.

The SLC Study and Reference manual has not changed; what has changed is the exam. Twenty percent of the exam has been reformatted to include questions on the use and benefit of native plants in the sustainable landscape installation to assure a well-rounded knowledge in the basics of sustainable landscape practices.

So, now, if you are interested in the Sustainable Landscapes certification and are not a PCH you can apply for the program. Order a Sustainable Landscape Study manual online, study and then apply to take the exam. The SLC designation is gaining recognition across the state. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recognizes the importance and validity of the SLC designation. Having an SLC on your company roster could benefit you greatly if you are applying to do any work on a DCNR related grant project such as installation and maintenance of riparian buffers or any municipal MS-4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) projects.

For more information about the NEW Sustainable Landscapes Certification, FAQs and to apply, click here or contact Cathy Corrigan at ccorrigan@PLNA.com or 717.238.1673.

Seniors in the horticulture program at W. B. Saul in Philadelphia were the first this spring to take the new high school version of the Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist (PCH) exam to earn the PCH Associate designation.

Over the past 18 months, PLNA has been working to finalize the high school version of the Pennsylvania Certified Horticulturist (PCH) program aka PCH Associate designation. A task force of industry professionals, including business owners and active PCH’s, and horticulture teachers in PA high schools and technical schools worked together to create this exam that meets the needs of the students and the industry.

The Associate program is based on the “core” knowledge that anyone working in the green industry should know.  Students taking the exam will be expected to know the basics on pesticides, herbicides, plant ID, fertilizers, pests, and the science of horticulture including terminology.  Therefore, a student who passes the high school exam created by PLNA can enter an interview with an entry-level professional designation vetted by the industry. This certification also provides the interviewer a point of reference for the level of knowledge of the candidate; no more guessing what exactly was included in that high school horticulture program you never heard of.

Students who pass the exam will receive a PCH Associate ID card that they can present upon application/interview and will also be included on a list posted on the PLNA website.  In addition, we will recognize these students’ accomplishments via PLNA e-News, same as the professional PCH’s.

This is just the first step in PLNA’s bigger workforce development initiative; getting those students already interested in horticulture an advantage in their job search. Stay tuned for updates the progress of this project. If you are interested in more information on PLNA's workforce development iniitiatives, please contact Cathy Corrigan at PLNA at ccorrigan@PLNA.com or 717.238.1683.

PLNA staff has compared the PDE program of study with the PCH Study and Reference Manual and feels confident that the foundational competency task list required by the program of study mirrors those base level principles used in the horticulture industry. Therefore, a student who passes the high school exam created by PLNA can enter an interview with an entry-level professional designation vetted by the industry. This certification also provides the interviewer a point of reference for the level of knowledge of the candidate; no more guessing what exactly was included in that high school horticulture program you never heard of.

The overall goal is to get the industry more qualified entry level candidates. And the fact that these students have already attained an entry-level certification, they should be more apt to stay in the industry and pursue the next level of certification, the professional PCH.

PLNA will have the exam ready for this year’s graduates. All students who pass the exam will be recognized in the KUDOs to the New PCH section of e-News and the website.

After the first round of high school exams, PLNA will be working on the next steps of raising the profile of horticulture careers so we can get more students enrolled in these high school programs. Stay tuned for updates the progress of this project. If you are interested in more information on these projects, please contact Cathy Corrigan at PLNA at ccorrigan@PLNA.com or 717.238.1683.

Recognizing Excellence in the Landscape & Nursery Industry –
25 Awards Given; 6 Achieve Highest Honors!

Congratulations to all award winners and sincere thanks to the companies and landscape designers who participated in our 2014 Awards for Landscape Excellence program. Award-winners were presented with plaques, and their award winning projects are featured on PLNA.com and Houzz.com.

Gold Award Recipients

Company: Brown Design Group
http://www.bdgla.com
Project Entry: Tiered Living Garden
Category: Residential $60,000-$120,000
Award Level: Gold
Photo Credit: SkySight Photography

Company: Goldglo Landscapes LLC
http://www.goldglolandscapes.com

Project Entry: Woodland Retreat
Category: Hardscaping-Residential $120,000 & over
Award Level: Gold
Photo Credit: Goldglow Landscapes LLC

Company: Hively Landscapes
http://www.hivelylandscapes.com
Project Entry: The J. William Foundation Nature Center
Category: Hardscaping-Commercial $30,000-$60,000
Award Level: Gold
Photo Credit: Hively Landscapes

Company: Terren Landscapes
http://www.terrenlandscapes.com
Project Entry: Wayne Rain Garden
Category: Residential Up to $15,000
Award Level: Gold
Photo Credit: Lisa C. Falls

Company: ThinkGreen LLC
http://www.thinkgreenllc.com

Project Entry: Lafayette Hill Residence
Category: Residential $120,000 & over
Award Level: Gold
Photo Credit: ThinkGreen LLC

Company: ThinkGreen LLC
http://www.thinkgreenllc.com
Project Entry: Philadelphia Residence
Category: Residential $30,000-$60,000
Award Level: Gold
Photo Credit: ThinkGreen LLC

For the full list of award winners and to see more photos, project information and links visit the PLNA 2014 ALE page.

Click here to go to the 2014 PLNA Awards for Landscape Excellence Awards page.

About the ALE Program

The Awards for Landscape Excellence (ALE) program recognizes and honors the professions responsible for the design, installation and maintenance of professional quality residential and commercial landscape projects as well as garden centers for the quality of their retail displays. The program not only recognizes and honors these professionals but also provides an online educational arena for landscape professionals to view and learn from winning projects. 

Competition is stringent in the ALE program. A maximum of two Gold, two Silver & two Bronze awards in each category are permitted to be presented each year as well as an unlimited number of Honorable Mentions. Judges have certain criteria they are scoring for in each category. If the judges determine projects have not met the high standards required to receive an award, no award will be presented. Judges have the final decision as to which awards, if any, are presented in each category. Awards are acknowledged on PLNA.com, PLNA e-News, OutdoorLivingPA.com, Houzz.com and any other press the award winners submit press releases to.