EP 02: Dr. Brian Jackson

🌱 What happens when growers try to reduce peat, test wood fiber, add biochar, or rethink their growing media supply chain? According to Dr. Brian Jackson, the biggest mistake is expecting a new substrate to behave exactly like the old one. Brian is a horticultural scientist at NC State University whose work focuses on soilless growing media, substrate performance, and how different media choices affect real production outcomes. He has studied engineered wood fibers since his PhD work and is known for helping translate substrate science into practical decision-making for growers, from water behavior and fertility shifts to pH management and safe trialing strategies. ⚠️In this episode of How We Grow, Chad talks with Brian about the past, present, and future of soilless growing media — from peat alternatives and supply chain pressure to water behavior, fertility, pH, regional sourcing, and how to trial new mixes without putting an entire crop at risk. 🌿The big takeaway? Don’t risk the crop. Start small, compare against what already works, learn how the new mix behaves, and manage it on its own terms. ✅Links🔗 Follow Brian’s work:Brian Jackson / NC State Wood Substrates (https://woodsubstrates.cals.ncsu.edu/)🔗 Connect with Brian on LinkedIn:Brian Jackson - North Carolina State University(https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-jackson-ncsu/)