How does the sequencing of Nissa, Who Shakes the World's +1 ability work, and in particular how does that interact with Hardened Scales? I'm aware that Hardened Scales won't put extra +1/+1 counters on things like Llanowar Reborn as it's a non-creature, and my reading is that Nissa's +1 is similar as it indicates to put the counters on a land, then the land untaps, becomes a creature, and gains haste and vigilance, but since the land wasn't a creature at the time the counters were put on the triggered ability of Hardened Scales never triggers. Is this a correct interpretation?
Your interpretation is correct. You follow the instructions of an ability in the order they are written. So you will place counters on a noncreature land, then untap it then it becomes a creature and gains haste. Hardened Scales as similar abilities that only effect creatures won't help this Nissa.
608.2c The controller of the spell or ability follows its instructions in the order written. However, replacement effects may modify these actions. In some cases, later text on the card may modify the meaning of earlier text (for example, “Destroy target creature. It can’t be regenerated” or “Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, put it on top of its owner’s library instead of into its owner’s graveyard.”) Don’t just apply effects step by step without thinking in these cases—read the whole text and apply the rules of English to the text.
I'm aware that Hardened Scales won't put extra +1/+1 counters on things like Llanowar Reborn as it's a non-creature, and my reading is that Nissa's +1 is similar as it indicates to put the counters on a land, then the land untaps, becomes a creature, and gains haste and vigilance,
Hardened Scales refers to +1/+1 counters being placed on a creature you control, not on a permanent that might become a creature Real Soon Now.
700.1. Anything that happens in a game is an event. Multiple events may take place during the resolution of a spell or ability. The text of triggered abilities and replacement effects defines the event they’re looking for. One “happening” may be treated as a single event by one ability and as multiple events by another.
but since the land wasn't a creature at the time the counters were put on the triggered ability of Hardened Scales never triggers. Is this a correct interpretation?
Yes.
A) The argument that "The characteristics will be correct when the triggered ability is put on the stack." doesn't do any good if the ability didn't trigger at all (because there will be nothing to place on the stack).
B) Hardened Scales doesn't have a triggered ability anyway, just a static ability that creates a replacement effect.
603.1. Triggered abilities have a trigger condition and an effect. They are written as “[When/Whenever/At] [trigger condition or event], [effect]. [Instructions (if any).]”
614.1a Effects that use the word “instead” are replacement effects. Most replacement effects use the word “instead” to indicate what events will be replaced with other events.
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Why bother with mere rulings when so many answers can be found in the Rules?
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The sequencing is as written.
Hardened Scales refers to +1/+1 counters being placed on a creature you control, not on a permanent that might become a creature Real Soon Now.
Yes.
A) The argument that "The characteristics will be correct when the triggered ability is put on the stack." doesn't do any good if the ability didn't trigger at all (because there will be nothing to place on the stack).
B) Hardened Scales doesn't have a triggered ability anyway, just a static ability that creates a replacement effect.