MN Landscape study guide
MN Landscape · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The MNLA Certified Professional credential is offered by the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, a Roseville, Minnesota trade association that describes itself as serving green industry professionals across six focus areas: Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design; Garden Services & Landscape Management; Garden Centers; Nursery & Greenhouse Growing; Irrigation & Water Management; and Arborists & Tree Care Services. The association lists MNLA Certified Professionals first among the certifications and licensures it recognizes, alongside credentials such as ISA Certified Arborist, ICPI Paver Certified, Irrigation Association Certified, MDA Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator, MnDOT Certified Landscape Specialist, and NCMA SRW Certified. The MN Landscape study guide has 6 sections and about 1,950 words.
01Landscape & Hardscape Install & Design
This domain tests whether you can read a Minnesota site, select plants that survive Zone 3–4 winters, and detail walks, patios, and walls that survive frost. Expect plan reading, grading, base construction, and planting-depth questions.
350 words, about 2 min02Garden Services & Landscape Management
This domain tests recurring care: turf, soil fertility, integrated pest management, pruning timing, seasonal cleanup, and winter snow and ice service. Questions often ask what you would do first or why a practice is wrong.
338 words, about 2 min03Garden Centers
This domain tests retail nursery and garden-center work: receiving and holding plant quality, accurate labels, customer problem-solving, and compliance with nursery-stock rules. The best answers connect a sale to the customer's site, not just to the plant's appearance.
327 words, about 2 min04Nursery & Greenhouse Growing
This domain tests production from propagation through overwintering: media, water, fertility, environment control, and cold-climate survival. Minnesota growers must manage fast greenhouse growth and then harden plants for real winters.
294 words, about 1 min05Irrigation & Water Management
This domain tests irrigation design, scheduling, backflow protection, and winterization in a cold climate. Marks are lost by ignoring pressure, precipitation rate, or freeze damage.
320 words, about 2 min06Arborists & Tree Care Services
This domain tests tree biology and practical care: pruning, planting, risk assessment, pest diagnosis, and safety. Answers should reflect accepted arboricultural standards and Minnesota pest timing.
321 words, about 2 min