Behind The Grow w/ Eric Coulombe

Garden Culture Magazine
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Welcome to Behind The Grow, a podcast powered by Garden Culture Magazine. We're the only magazine in the world dedicated to the art of growing food, and we use this podcast to spotlight the best and brightest in the industry.

Episodes

  1. JAN 14

    AC Moon Cameron Unfiltered: Cannabis Activism, Big Pharma, and Building Real Freedom

    In this episode of Behind the Grow, Eric sits down with AC Moon Cameron — a 25+ year veteran of the cannabis world whose story spans legacy cultivation, medical-era activism, education, consulting, and invention.This is a wide-ranging, no-fluff conversation that goes far beyond growing. AC Moon breaks down the difference between rescheduling vs descheduling, why corporate interests shape policy, and what everyday people can do to educate themselves. We also dive into her early activism roots, the origins of her edible work, and how her invention Crop Tops was born from real-world necessity for outdoor cultivation in harsh conditions.You’ll also hear about her work in the Caribbean helping build legal frameworks — including consumption lounge licensing in the U.S. Virgin Islands (opening January 2026) — and why innovation, education, and community are the only way forward.Topics covered: Growing up around cannabis and early activism in the 90sMedical-era access and the legacy movementRescheduling vs descheduling and what’s at stakeCorporate influence, research, and synthetic cannabinoidsCannabis law realities across the U.S. and abroadBuilding cannabis tourism and local equity in the Virgin IslandsCrop Tops and protecting outdoor plants from weather, rot, and contaminationQuick-fire questions: first grow, myths, music, and moreIndica Innovations International: IndicaInnovations.comCrop Tops Greenhouse: CropTopsGreenhouses.com (site in progress)LinkedIn: @a.c.moonInstagram: @a.c.moonFollow & learn more:#gardenculturemagazine #BehindTheGrow #CannabisCommunity #LegacyCannabis #CannabisActivism #CannabisEducation #Cultivation #CannabisPolicy #HomeGrow #Innovation

    1h 8m

  2. JAN 13

    Alexandre Gauthier on Open-Source Cultivation & the Reality of Commercial Growing

    In this episode of Behind the Grow, Eric sits down with Alexandre Gauthier, VP of R&D at Origin Nature, for an honest, deeply technical, and refreshingly open conversation about commercial cultivation, leadership, and what actually makes a grow operation successful.Alex shares the real story behind his early growing days, how hands-on experience shaped his approach, and why transparency and team culture matter more than any so-called “secret sauce.” From SOPs and cultivation systems to lighting degradation, LED warranties, and why blind tasting matters more than lab numbers, this episode goes far beyond surface-level grow talk.You’ll also hear:• How Origin Nature built a culture around passion, trust, and accountability • Why sharing cultivation knowledge strengthens the entire industry • The truth about LED light degradation and what growers should be measuring • Why people matter more than genetics, nutrients, or equipment • How consumer behavior around potency will evolve over time • Lessons for new operators trying to survive and stay profitable This episode is a must-watch for cultivators, operators, and anyone interested in the future of professional growing and sustainable cannabis businesses.Featuring:Eric (Host, Garden Culture Magazine) Alexandre Gauthier – VP of R&D, OriginNature.com#BehindTheGrow #gardenculturemagazine #CommercialCultivation #GrowRoomDesign #CannabisIndustry #CultivationLeadership #LEDLighting #GrowerCulture #CanadianCannabis

    1h 5m

  3. JAN 12

    The Untold Story of Jair Velleman: Success, Burnout & Reinventing Grow Lighting

    Industry pioneer Jair Velleman joins Behind the Grow for a raw and insightful conversation about ambition, burnout, reinvention, and the evolution of professional grow lighting.Jair opens up about:• His early hustle importing equipment • Building Mammoth Tents and Gavita from the ground up • Selling his company for life-changing money — and the depression that followed • Rediscovering purpose through Dutch Lighting Innovations • Why LED degradation is a hidden crisis in cultivation • The science behind UV light and improving crop quality • The friendships, failures, and unforgettable stories along the way This episode isn’t just about technology — it’s about resilience, timing, and believing in something enough to change an entire industry.#GardenCultureMagazine #BehindTheGrow #DLILighting #GrowLighting #CultivationTech #HorticultureInnovation00:00 Introduction and Early Connections06:05 Transition to Gavita and Mammoth Tents12:00 The Launch of Garden Culture Magazine18:09 The Evolution of the Cannabis Industry23:57 Memorable Stories and Experiences30:00 Innovations in Growing Technology32:04 The Evolution of Horticultural Lighting34:36 The Emotional Journey of Selling a Company39:01 Finding Purpose After Success47:03 Understanding Light Degradation in Cannabis Cultivation58:04 Innovations in UV Lighting for Plants

    1h 5m

  4. 11/30/2025

    Behind the Grow Ep. 7: Shane Hutto on Media Science, Root Zone Oxygen, and Modern Cultivation

    In Episode 7 of Behind the Grow, Eric sits down with cultivation expert Shane Hutto for a deep dive into the science behind modern growing. From managing 160,000 sq. ft. of canopy at Cresco Labs to consulting across the country and now working with Profile Products, Shane brings decades of hands-on experience to this conversation.We cover:• The truth about “over-watering” and why it’s really an oxygen issue • How rockwool, coco, and hydrofiber behave differently in the root zone • Shane’s journey from commercial production to consulting • Media science, drainage, and dryback explained • The evolution of cultivation practices in today’s market • Why growers need to think differently about water, air, and media balance If you’re serious about cultivation, this episode is packed with valuable insight from one of the sharpest minds in the field.#BehindTheGrow #ShaneHutto #GardenCulture #CultivationScience #Hydroponics #GrowersLife #RootZoneManagement

    51 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    Behind the Grow #6 — Tate Dooley on Synganic Growing, Enzyme Pods, & Backyard Farming at Scale

    Eric sits down with Tate Dooley (Key to Life; Backyard Farming Supply) for a deep-dive on clean inputs, synganic (synthetic + organic) strategies, IPM that actually works, and how to turn a suburban yard into a high-yield, automated food system. We cover the origin of Key to Life from compost tea brewers to today’s powdered nutrient line, why sulfur supercharges terpene expression, and the “one–two punch” of Silver Bullet + Enzyme Pods for plant health and powdery mildew pressure.🎙️ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN• The origin story: compost tea brewer → Key to Life nutrient line • Synganic philosophy: purity, potency, and consistency without sacrificing quality • Enzyme Pods explained: 7-species bacillus blend, plant-safe enzymes, and why pods beat liquid enzymes • Sulfur 101: hitting ~80–100 ppm and why it boosts terpenes and trichomes • The “one–two punch”: Silver Bullet (weeks 0–3 foliar) + Enzyme Pods (weeks 3–harvest) • Backyard Farming Supply: conveyor-belt gardening, automation, and post-harvest flow in a city lot • Real-world IPM + PM: what finally knocked it back indoors • Denver grow advantages: altitude, DLI, CO₂, and bone-dry air • Kids, gardens, and making time: how to keep yield high without becoming a “full-time farmer”⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Cold open + audio gremlins 00:42 Welcome & why Tate’s approach resonated 02:29 Tate’s intro: student-for-life mindset 04:50 Compost tea brewer → powdered inputs (the Ziploc era) 09:40 Sourcing ultra-pure inputs & building the line 13:42 Organics vs synganics & the power of the sun 15:25 Denver climate advantages for growers 20:15 Backyard Farming Supply: from one bed to full automation 26:55 System design: starts → canopy → fertigation → wash/pack → outdoor kitchen 31:58 Enzyme Pods: what they are & how they work 38:30 Silver Bullet sulfur: purity, mixing, and ppm targets 44:46 Practical dosages, timing, and the week-6–8 terp window 46:40 The “silver + enzymes” program (foliar → root drench) 47:56 Where to find Tate & closing🔗 FIND TATE / KEY TO LIFE• Instagram: @keytolifesupply | @endzymepods • Websites: keytolifesupply.com | backyardfarmingsupply.com🙌 ABOUT THE SHOWBehind the Grow spotlights builders, growers, and makers pushing cultivation forward. Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations.#BehindTheGrow #Synganic #OrganicGrowing #IPM #PowderyMildew #EnzymePods #Sulfur #Terpenes #KeyToLife #BackyardFarming #CompostTea #GardenCulture

    47 min

  6. 10/12/2025

    BioBizz’s John Ramsey: The Organic Feeding Blueprint | Behind the Grow

    Episode 5 dives into organic growing that actually scales. Eric Coulombe sits down with John Ramsey of BioBizz to unpack how to build living, microbe-rich media; dial organic liquids for soil and coco; and keep consistency without chasing numbers. They cover real-world feeding schedules, pH strategy for organics, when (and when not) to measure EC, and simple tweaks that boost vigor, aroma, and resilience—minus the salt-heavy baggage.What you’ll learn:• Building a living substrate: biology-first inputs and watering cadence • Organic feeding made practical: BioBizz-style schedules for soil and coco • pH in organics: gentle adjustment, buffers, and avoiding lockout • EC & runoff with organics: what to watch—and what to ignore • Transitioning from salts to organics: common pitfalls and quick wins • Sustainability notes: sourcing, media choices, and waste reduction#BehindTheGrow #BioBizz #OrganicGrowing #LivingSoil #IndoorGrowing #CocoCoir #Horticulture #GardenCultureMagazine

    56 min

  7. 10/11/2025

    Hydrofarm’s Paul Gonzalez: Trade Shows, Gaia Green & Grotek Truths | Behind the Grow

    From shop floors to global stages, Hydrofarm’s Paul Gonzalez (21+ years in the game) joins Eric to unpack what actually moves growers forward. They compare Spannabis vs. Mary Jane Berlin, why Germany’s living-soil crowd is surging, and how genetics booths supercharge real buyer conversations. Paul breaks down Gaia Green (EcoCert dry amendments: All Purpose 4-4-4, Power Bloom, worm castings) and Grotek’s evolution (bio + mineral blends, Vitamax Pro, the Monster Bloom classic), plus how Hydrofarm chooses bases by market without bloating costs.What you’ll learn:• How trade shows really drive demand (and why Berlin is booming) • Gaia Green vs. Grotek—when organic dry amendments or liquids make sense • Practical nutrient philosophy: AB simplicity, targeted boosters, and clean reservoirs • Rapid-fire grow takes: flushing, silica under heat stress, under-canopy lighting ROI, foliar worth, microbes in rockwool • Hot-summer tips: silica for resilience and simple mulching to protect soil moisture#BehindTheGrow #Hydrofarm #GaiaGreen #Grotek #Spannabis #MaryJaneBerlin #IndoorGrowing #Hydroponics #LivingSoil #Horticulture

    1h 2m

  8. 09/11/2025

    AutoPot USA: Passive Watering, Bigger Yields & Less Waste | Manny Pelaez

    No pumps, no timers, no electricity, just a gravity-fed system that keeps plants consistently fed while you’re away. In this Behind the Grow episode, AutoPot USA’s Manny Pelaez joins Eric Coulombe to break down how a tiny team scaled in a down market, why passive “constant feed” works, and the simple feeding/substrate tweaks that prevent overfeeding and stabilize reservoirs. What you’ll learn: • How AquaValve delivers a steady water level for true constant feed—without power • Smarter feeding: why many issues are overfeeding (and how to dial inputs back) • Outdoor performance + newer systems (XXL, Tray2Grow) with drainage taps • Building community at scale: MAP pricing, retail protection, and local affiliate growers • Living soil + autoflower setups that make first harvests surprisingly easy • Real-world wins: set-and-forget reliability and growing more than cannabis (tomatoes, turmeric, ginger) Links 👇🌐 https://autopot-usa.com/ 👥   / autopotusa   📸   / autopot_usa   🐦   / autopotusa   🎥    / @autopotusa   #BehindTheGrow #AutoPotUSA #Hydroponics #IndoorGrowing #PassiveHydro #GardenCultureMagazine

    58 min

  9. 07/22/2025

    Justin Cooper on Green Planet, Growing Exposed, and Building a Life in Flower

    In Episode 2 of Behind the Grow, I sit down with Justin Cooper, co-founder of Green Planet Nutrients and creator of Growing Exposed. We’ve been running in the same circles for over 20 years, and this convo covers everything from legacy market days to helping veterans find purpose through flower.We talk about: • How Justin helped launch Green Planet Nutrients • The origin story behind Growing Exposed and why it still matters • Funding the Allard case to fight for patient rights in Canada • The rise and fall of retail grow shops across Canada • The veteran-led 6.1 Charlie project and why it’s more than just a brand • Our shared past, limos at Max Yield, and the power of showing up for communityJustin’s energy hasn’t changed since day one. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea—and he’s fine with that—but if you’re in his circle, he’s loyal for life.This episode is for the growers, the fighters, and the ones who stuck with the plant through thick and thin.📘 Read more at: https://gardenculturemagazine.com#BehindTheGrow #GreenPlanet #GrowingExposed #CannabisIndustry #LegacyGrowers #CannabisCommunity #GardenCulture #AllardCase #VeteranSupport #CannabisLife

    45 min

  10. 07/22/2025

    25 Years of Hustle with Jason Stanley (BioFloral, Legacy Days, Wild Stories)

    In the very first episode of Behind the Grow, I sit down with my longtime friend and cannabis industry OG, Jason Stanley. We go way back—same school bus, same football team, and decades in the trenches of the grow industry together.Jason shares how he got started selling hydro gear in the late ’90s, why a bank manager had to write him an apology letter, and how the industry transformed post-legalization. From hash days to big business, from Bright Light to BioFloral, and from family roots to national distribution—this one covers it all.We talk about: • Building a grow shop empire from scratch • Competing against each other (and then becoming allies) • How COAs and daily consumables helped BioFloral thrive • The rise of CANNA and the explosion of Athena • Why loyalty, community, and love for the plant still matterAnd yeah, we go deep into the crazy road stories, tissue culture kits, foraging mushrooms, and even why I hate ties.This is the real story behind the grow.📘 Read more: https://gardenculturemagazine.com#BehindTheGrow #CannabisIndustry #GardenCulture #BioFloral #GrowerStories #CannabisBusiness #LegacyGrowers

    42 min
  • 10 Episodes

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Welcome to Behind The Grow, a podcast powered by Garden Culture Magazine. We're the only magazine in the world dedicated to the art of growing food, and we use this podcast to spotlight the best and brightest in the industry.

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