CPH!

In October of last year I took the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association's (WSNLA) Certified Professional Horticulturalist (CPH) exam, which I passed without a hitch. I'm sure that my less than 100% on the written (92%) was due to flunking all questions related to turf. I answered them all the same: Fescue. Really, lawns are just not my thing and should you have a question about them, I carry a phone that has more oomph that the computers that sent the first orbiter the the moon. We'll figure it out! But, I digress... After passing the exam, you have two years to work 2000 verifiable industry related hours to complete the certification. At the end of November, I turned my hours in. This, and spending a lot of time in Texas, is why no one but my clients, family and employers have seen me for over a year. You're given two years to gather the hours as landscaping isn't necessarily a year-round endeavor in the Pacific North Wet. While just over 25% of my hours were awarded to me via my horticulture degree and Master Gardener certification, getting it done in 13 months was accomplished, at times, by working 3 industry jobs.
The WSNLA's CPH certification shows that, as a professional, you've taken the time, interest and investment to further educate yourself in the field (turf aside). It gives you 'street cred.' The Master Gardener certificate, professionally, means the least, but still has clients falling down at my feet. The horticultural degree impresses only those with true knowledge. What I've found has the most meaning in my horticultural career is experience. Nothing is more valuable than time spent getting dirty.

Caitlin S. Dittmer, CPH