Growers gonna Grow

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson sits down with Eric Jones, also known as Turf Teacher, to break down one of the biggest disconnects in the green industry: the gap between plant design and plant availability. Designers create the vision. Growers manage production timelines. Contractors are left trying to make the two align. The problem is, they often don’t. Rayne and Eric dig into why plant lists frequently don’t match what’s actually available, how production timelines are misunderstood, and where communication breaks down between landscape architects, nurseries, and contractors. They also discuss what happens in the field when plans fall apart, when contractors should push back, and what better collaboration between designers and growers could look like. If you’ve ever tried to source plants for a job and realized the plan doesn’t match reality, this episode explains why. Want to learn more about Rayne? Click Here Want to learn more about the Joneses? Instagram Website

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson breaks down one of the most misunderstood roles in the green industry: the plant broker. Brokers sit in the middle of the supply chain, connecting growers, contractors, and suppliers. But are they simplifying the process or adding unnecessary complexity? Rayne explores why brokers exist in the first place, where they add real value, and where communication, pricing, and transparency can break down. The conversation also looks at the bigger issue behind it all: a fragmented system where inventory, timing, and information don’t always align. If you’ve ever relied on a broker, questioned their role, or struggled with sourcing plant material across multiple suppliers, this episode offers a clear look at how the system actually works. Want to learn more about Rayne? Click Here

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson sits down with Hillary Metzger, Sales Manager at Home Nursery Inc., to talk about one of the biggest challenges in the green industry: aligning plant demand with long-term production. Hillary shares insight into how growers plan crops months and even years in advance, and why nurseries can’t simply pivot when demand shifts. The conversation explores the importance of communication between growers, designers, and contractors, and how better visibility into future demand could help reduce supply gaps and sourcing challenges. With experience serving both retail and landscape markets, Hillary also offers a unique perspective on how trends move through the industry and where disconnects often occur between what is being specified and what is actually in production. If you’ve ever struggled to find plant material or wondered why certain plants aren’t available when you need them, this episode explains why. Want to learn more about Rayne? Click Here Want to learn more about Home Nursery? Click Here

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson sits down with John DeHaven, Sales Manager at Acorn Farms in Ohio, to talk about two topics that are shaping how plant material moves through the industry today: order consolidation and the growing demand for native plants. John shares practical insight into how landscapers and garden centers can improve margins by consolidating plant orders and sourcing more strategically. From freight efficiencies to better planning, the conversation highlights how the way plant material is purchased can have a major impact on project costs and profitability. The episode also explores the increasing demand for native plant material, particularly on commercial projects, and the disconnect that can sometimes occur between landscape architects, liner growers, and finish growers when those plants are specified. If you’ve ever wondered why certain plants are difficult to source, or how better planning and purchasing strategies can improve your bottom line, this episode offers a valuable look at the supply chain behind the plants we install. Want to learn more about Rayne? Click Here Want to learn more about Acorn Farms? Click Here

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson sits down with Paul Meehan of Natchez Tree Co. and Natchez Trading Post to talk about the importance of plant grading standards and how they shape communication across the nursery supply chain. The conversation dives into the Florida Grades and Standards for nursery plants, why they were created, and how clear definitions around plant size and quality help eliminate confusion between growers, brokers, and contractors. Paul also shares real-world insight into sourcing plant material and explains why understanding plant standards can prevent costly misunderstandings when plants move from the nursery to the jobsite. If you’ve ever ordered a "specamine tree” and wondered why it didn’t match expectations, this episode explains why standards matter. Want to learn more about Rayne? Click Here Want to learn more about Paul and Natchez Tree Co? Click Here

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson sits down with Mario Cambardella, founder of ServeScape, to explore how technology is reshaping the way plants move from growers to landscapes. Mario shares his perspective on the “farm-to-landscape” supply chain and why the green industry has historically struggled with inventory transparency, logistics, and communication between growers, designers, and contractors. The conversation also dives into how digital tools are making landscape design more accessible and how improving visibility into plant availability could change the way projects are planned and sourced. As demand for plants continues to grow and technology begins to modernize the industry, this discussion offers insight into where the landscape and nursery industries may be headed next. Want to learn more about Rayne? Click Here Want to learn more about Mario and Servescape? Click Here

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson talks with David Marciniak of Landscape Design Lab about one of the biggest disconnects in the green industry: plants often become the last thing considered in a landscape project. David shares his perspective from the contractor and design side, explaining why plant material should play a central role in landscape planning and why waiting until the end of a project to source plants creates unnecessary challenges for everyone involved. The conversation also dives into the demand for more interesting specimen plants, the difficulty of finding reliable nursery inventories, and how better communication between growers and contractors could improve outcomes across the industry. If you’ve ever spent hours chasing plant availability or redesigning a project around what’s actually in stock, this episode will feel very familiar. Want to learn more about Rayne? Linktr.ee/raynegibson Want to learn about David? www.LandscapeDesignLab.com

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson sits down with Eric Olson, Business Development Manager for RediRoot, to talk about how container technology affects plant health long before a plant ever reaches the jobsite. Eric explains how air pruning systems work, why root structure matters more than most people realize, and how decisions made during production can impact transplant success and long-term performance in the landscape. The conversation explores how growers can produce healthier plants while reducing inputs, and why contractors and designers should care about how those plants were grown in the first place. If you’ve ever wondered what’s happening below the soil line or how container systems influence plant performance, this episode sheds light on the hidden side of plant production. Want to learn more about Rayne?  https://linktr.ee/rayne.taproots Want to learn more about RediRoot? www.rediroot.com Linktr.ee/RediRoot  

In this episode of Growers Gonna Grow, Rayne Gibson and Chris Uhland break down what happens when living plant material is handled like a commodity. From unrealistic timelines to poor jobsite handling, they dig into where the disconnect between growers and contractors creates unnecessary problems across projects. Chris shares real-world insight into production timing, harvesting limitations, and why certain plants simply cannot be rushed without consequences. This conversation challenges common assumptions and gives a clearer understanding of how better planning and handling lead to stronger outcomes on every job. Connect with Rayne Website: www.taprootshc.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: Rayne Gibson Instagram: @TaprootsHC Learn more about Christopher Uhland & Harmony Hill Nursery Website: www.hhnurseryllc.com Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram: @HarmonyHillNurseryllc an anywhere you see the hashtag #EatSleepTrees

On the very first episode, I want to break down who I am and what we are here for. Growers Gonna Grow goes beyond plants and into the strategy behind them. I help green industry pros understand production timelines, supply challenges, and planning systems so plants show up right, jobs run smoother, and businesses grow stronger.