Explore every episode of the podcast In The Mix - Front Row Ag
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prevent Fertigation Clogs with Better Fertilizer Chemistry | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:01:34 | |
Why is Front Row built as a 3-part fertilizer system? It comes down to basic fertilizer chemistry. In this clip, Bryan explains why calcium and phosphorus concentrates should always remain separate, why clogging is one of the most common issues new customers experience, and the difference between chemical and biological clogs. He also explains how feed solution pH and EC affect the likelihood of calcium and phosphorus bonding together, increasing the risk of precipitation and clogged irrigation components. Chapters 00:00 Why Front Row is a 3-Part System 00:21 The Most Common Issue: Clogging 00:29 Chemical vs. Biological Clogs 00:47 Preventing Biological Clogs 00:55 How pH and EC Affect Precipitation 01:15 Why Calcium and Phosphorus Must Stay Separate | |||
| Commercial Workflows and Irrigation with Drew Greco | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:31:34 | |
Labor overhead, irrigation strategy, and equipment maintenance are critical variables that dictate commercial cannabis profitability. In this episode, experienced commercial cultivator Drew Greco breaks down the operational strategies that make large-scale facilities successful. Drew explains why implementing a strict preventative maintenance schedule is just as critical as managing a harvest calendar, and how correcting irrigation volume and reducing plant touches can drastically lower costs and improve plant health. The conversation also explores the transition to Front Row Ag detailing how a robust micronutrient profile drives distinct flower morphology and maximizes terpene production compared to competitor lines. In this episode:
Apply for a Commercial Account to access Front Row Ag's products, technical support, and commercial services: https://bit.ly/44m7lR6Chapters:00:00 – Introduction and Commercial Cultivation Background 06:45 – Facility Design and HVAC Transpiration Challenges 08:40 – Managing Pad and Fan Greenhouses in the Desert 16:35 – Implementing Preventative Maintenance Strategies 19:37 – Correcting Commercial Irrigation and Overwatering 21:11 – Reducing Plant Touches and Workflow Efficiencies 23:55 – Vegas Market Dynamics and Cultivation Profitability 27:26 – Switching to Front Row Ag30:26 – Water Analysis and Cultivation Support | |||
| Why CO2 Spikes Overnight in Sealed Grow Room | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:04:50 | |
Why do CO₂ levels rise after the lights turn off in a sealed grow room?Many commercial cultivators notice CO₂ climbing overnight, even when CO₂ injection is disabled. In this episode, Tyler Simmons explains why this happens, what plant respiration has to do with it, and why elevated nighttime CO₂ is usually normal in sealed environments.You'll also learn when high CO₂ readings may indicate a problem, what current research says about nighttime CO₂ in other crops, and how growers can use accumulated overnight CO₂ to delay morning CO₂ injection and improve efficiency.In this episode:- Why CO₂ increases during the dark cycle- Plant respiration vs. photosynthesis- Why sealed rooms accumulate CO₂ overnight- When elevated CO₂ should be investigated- What current research suggests- Using overnight CO₂ to reduce morning injectionSubscribe for more commercial cultivation education from Front Row Ag.Chapters00:00 The Overnight CO2 Anomaly00:20 Understanding Nighttime Plant Respiration00:42 Media and Substrate Contributions to Room Gas01:02 Auditing for Solenoid Leaks and Structural Gases01:28 Indoor Cultivation vs. Natural Dissipation01:50 What Academic Data Says About Nighttime Carbon Dioxide02:56 Practical Commercial Observations on Crop Potency and Growth03:24 The Morning Injection Delay Strategy03:48 Identifying Unexplained Biomass Decomposition | |||
| Why the Same Program Succeeds in One Facility and Fails in Another | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:17:35 | |
Most fertilizer companies stop at product delivery. At Front Row Ag, that's where the work begins. In this episode, we discuss how commercial customer onboarding helps identify operational challenges before they become expensive problems. From water chemistry and sanitation to irrigation infrastructure and facility workflows, our team works to establish a clean baseline before implementing a nutrient program. You'll learn why water testing is one of the first steps in every onboarding process, how hidden sanitation issues can impact facility performance, and why successful nutrient programs must be customized to each operation. We also discuss preventative maintenance, common mistakes that lead to recurring production issues, and how ongoing education and technical support help commercial facilities achieve more consistent results over time. Learn more about Front Row Ag commercial support services: https://frontrowag.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Commercial Onboarding 00:40 Building Relationships and Understanding Facilities 01:50 Transitioning from Liquid Nutrients to Salts 02:20 Why Water Testing Comes First 03:25 Water Sanitation, Bacteria, and Hidden Problems 04:20 Why Every Facility Requires a Custom Approach 05:55 Examples from Small and Large Commercial Operations 07:25 Common Water Chemistry Issues Across Facilities 08:10 The "Aha Moment" for Many Operators 09:00 Clean Facilities vs. Facilities Needing Remediation 10:20 Cleaning Tanks, Lines, and Establishing a Baseline 11:25 Why Buying Fertilizer Is Only the Beginning 12:30 Preventative Maintenance and Operational Success 13:50 Training, Education, and Long-Term Support 15:05 Avoiding Mistakes vs. Chasing Big Wins 16:25 The Value of Proactive Facility Management | |||
| PSA: How Sulfuric Acid Supply Impacts Your Fertilizer Program | 22 Jun 2026 | 00:10:59 | |
In this episode, Matthew breaks down an upstream supply chain issue that many growers may not realize is affecting fertilizer manufacturing worldwide: sulfuric acid availability. Sulfuric acid plays a critical role in producing many of the raw materials used throughout the fertilizer industry, including phosphoric acid, potassium sulfate, mono potassium phosphate, and other key ingredients. As global supply chains tighten and sourcing priorities shift, manufacturers may be forced to source materials from different suppliers, resulting in changes to consistency, particle size, impurities, and solubility. Topics covered:
Chapters 00:00 Why Are Fertilizers Suddenly Mixing Differently? 00:29 The Hidden Role of Sulfuric Acid 01:29 A Global Supply Chain Problem 03:11 What Happens When Manufacturers Run Out? 04:39 The First Warning Signs 05:28 Products Most Likely to Be Affected 06:04 What Sulfur Percentage Can Tell You 07:13 The Real Cause of Stock Tank Residue 08:21 What's Actually Inside Fertilizer Raw Materials? 09:12 Why Some Fertilizers Now Take Hours to Dissolve 10:15 What Growers Should Do Next 10:36 Why Front Row Is Different If you've noticed unexpected changes in mixing performance, stock concentrate appearance, or residue buildup, this episode explains what may be happening behind the scenes. Learn more at FrontRowAg.com | |||
| Why Some LED Grow Upgrades FAIL the Math | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:13:05 | |
Two facilities. Same canopy size. Same yield target. Completely different electrical bills. In this episode, we break down the lighting math most growers skip:
This conversation explores how modern lighting design affects yield, operational costs, and long-term profitability in commercial cultivation environments. Whether you're planning a retrofit, building a new room, or trying to lower COGS, understanding the math behind your lighting matters more than marketing brochures. 00:00 Why two identical facilities can have radically different power bills Chapters 00:16 The mistake growers make when buying LEDs 00:46 Calculating watts per square foot 01:04 Traditional HPS benchmarks explained 01:27 Why lowering watts/ft² matters 01:42 Single tier vs multi-tier lighting limitations 02:30 The simplest lighting calculation every grower should know 03:10 PPFD and lighting budget considerations 03:44 The hidden problem with “perfect” uniformity 04:28 Why dimming fixtures means wasted CapEx 05:01 How often facilities replace lighting systems 05:25 LED efficiency improvements over time 06:23 The tradeoffs between spectrum and efficiency 07:15 Why modern LED spectra perform differently 07:47 Why mounting height changes everything 08:16 Diode strength and discharge intensity 08:53 How some facilities reach sub-30W/ft² 09:55 Under canopy lighting discussion 10:47 New research on redistributing lighting wattage 11:30 Practical takeaways for growers 12:40 Why photometric planning matters | |||
| SIU Researcher Dr. Jose Leme on Trichomes, Water Stress, and Biostimulants in Cultivation | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:49:38 | |
What happens when you stress plants on purpose? In this video, we break down university research from Dr. Jose Leme’s lab on plant stress, trichomes, water deficit, and biostimulants. Topics covered:
Some of the results challenge common assumptions. If you're interested in plant science, controlled environment agriculture, or optimizing plant performance, this is worth understanding. Chapters 00:00 Intro – Who is Dr. Jose Leme? 01:20 The trichome methyl jasmonate experiment 03:34 Why trichomes behave unexpectedly 05:20 Trichomes as a defense mechanism 10:45 Measuring trichomes (limitations) 11:56 Size vs concentration 24:09 Genetics vs environment 34:27 Water stress experiment 35:00 When stress backfires 36:31 Nutrients vs stress 37:00 Dry back vs dry out 45:36 Pushing genetic potential46:10 Biostimulants and signaling 47:05 What showed promise 48:48 What’s still unknown | |||
| Hiring a Lead Cultivator: What To Look For | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:05:14 | |
Most facilities make the same hiring mistake: choosing a head cultivator based on plant knowledge instead of leadership ability. In modern controlled environments, success depends less on hands-on growing and more on managing systems, people, and performance. This video breaks down:
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| Light Interruption Can Cause Herms (+How to Stop It) | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:06:36 | |
Light interruption is one of the most overlooked risks in indoor facilities—and it often shows up after a build is “complete.” In this breakdown, Egan O’Keefe (Co-Founder of Front Row Ag, VP of Cultivation at Story of Maryland) explains:
This is practical, field-tested insight for operators who want consistency, not surprises. Chapters 00:00 – New facility mistake most teams make 00:30 – What commissioning actually means 01:15 – The hidden issue: light interruption 01:40 – Hallways, traffic, and light exposure 02:00 – Why most doors fail 02:20 – How to actually find light leaks 02:40 – Ductwork and mechanical system issues 03:00 – Fixing doors and sealing rooms 03:20 – Equipment LEDs and hidden light sources 03:50 – Why even tiny light matters 04:05 – Two types of genetics 04:45 – When light leaks don’t cause problems 05:00 – When they absolutely do 05:15 – How herms start from small light exposure 05:30 – Why early detection matters 05:40 – Green lighting in aisleways (pros & limits) | |||
| VPD for Every Stage of the Grow Cycle | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:11:07 | |
In this video, we break down the VPD ranges we use from veg through late flower, why plant posture is one of the most underrated metrics in the room, and the exact reason your humidity spikes every time your CO2 runs out. What's covered:
📊 VPD charts referenced in this video are available in our Grow Guide - link below. 🔗 https://books.frontrowag.com/frontrowaggrowguide2025ggusv12 Chapters 00:00 Intro — Common VPD Questions00:06 VPD in Veg: The 0.9–1.0 Sweet Spot01:03 Running Rooms Warm in Veg01:44 Leaf Surface Temp vs. Ambient Air for VPD02:03 Why Ambient Temp Is the Better Benchmark03:16 Week 1–3 Flower: Targeting 1.0–1.2 VPD03:57 Day vs. Night Temp and Humidity Strategy04:07 CO2, Stomata, and Humidity Spikes Explained06:12 How to Read Plant Posture as Environmental Feedback08:24 Week 4+ Flower: Ramping VPD Through Late Cycle09:04 Day/Night Temp Differential Strategy09:35 Managing Mold Risk as VPD Rises10:07 Using a VPD Chart to Plan Week by Week10:43 Adjusting for Your Facility and Equipment | |||
| What It Really Takes to Grow Purple | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:13:24 | |
Purple expression is one of the most misunderstood traits in cultivation. In this conversation, we break down why plants turn purple, when it’s genetically driven, and what actually happens when growers try to force purple expression through environmental stress. Lower air temperatures, cold root zones, spectrum manipulation, nitrogen tapering—these strategies can increase anthocyanin expression, but they don’t come for free. Many of the same levers that push color also slow photosynthesis, reduce energy availability, and introduce yield or consistency trade-offs. We also dig into:
This is not a “how-to force purple” guide. It’s a reality check on trade-offs, decision-making, and choosing the least damaging path for your operation. | |||
| How Top-Performing Commercial Cultivation Teams Organize the Day | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:15:57 | |
High-performing commercial cultivation teams don’t improvise the day. They start with a master production calendar, translate it into a short list of priority tasks, and use structured morning and end-of-day meetings to keep labor aligned and prevent drift. This conversation breaks down how top-performing teams organize the day—from calendar to canopy—so work stays efficient, predictable, and repeatable at scale. 00:00 - Why the day needs structure 03:10 - The master calendar as the real decision-maker 07:45 - Limiting the day to a few priority tasks - Why top teams avoid overloading the schedule 12:30 - Morning meetings: setting direction, not micromanaging 18:20 - Labor flow and task handoffs - How experienced teams sequence work across rooms and crews 24:10 - End-of-day meetings: closing the loop 30:40 - Scale changes structure, not principles - What stays consistent from small to very large facilities 36:00 - Why efficiency creates better outcomes | |||
| What Other Crops Can Teach Us About Canopy Design, Defense, and Yield | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:21:39 | |
Most growers treat this crop as biologically unique. That assumption breaks more things than it fixes. In this conversation, John Sokolik explains how well-studied crops like hops, tomatoes, hackberry, and lima beans reveal practical lessons about canopy density, light penetration, pest pressure, and plant defense signaling. Topics include leaf area index, under-canopy lighting, plant communication via jasmonic acid, and why some tissues become energy sinks instead of contributors. If you want higher efficiency—not just more biomass—this is the lens to use. Chapters 00:00 – Why treating this crop as “exceptional” causes problems 01:06 – Hops: same family, different canopy strategy 02:48 – Light penetration and under-canopy lighting results 03:55 – Leaf Area Index and diminishing returns 05:37 – Hackberry as a pest pressure warning sign 08:29 – Plant-to-plant communication and defense signaling 12:52 – Tomato trichomes and transferable research 14:00 – What growers should actually apply | |||
| How Many Plant Touches Is Too Much? | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:08:14 | |
Every time a plant is touched, there’s risk—and cost. In this conversation, we break down why plant “touchpoints” matter more than most facilities realize. From disease pressure to labor efficiency, excessive handling quietly inflates costs and introduces variability across a crop cycle. We walk through a simple exercise: counting planned plant touches from transplant to harvest—and show why many operations could remove entire steps by rethinking container strategy, trellising, and workflow design. This isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about designing systems that need less intervention to begin with. 00:00 – Touching = Risk 00:24 – Why Touches Matter 01:10 – Count Your Touches 01:56 – Target: ~6 Touches 02:34 – Too Many Is a Signal 03:29 – Trellis & Workflow Design 05:28 – Transplant Choices 06:24 – Do Less, On Purpose Apply for a commercial account to work with Front Row Ag and access a fertilizer line built for professional facilities—plus dedicated support to help streamline your operation. → https://bit.ly/3YNPcZG | |||
| 4 Levels of Mixing Equipment | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:11:18 | |
Improper mixing equipment is one of the most common hidden causes of inconsistent feeds, validation failures, and wasted labor. In this episode, Front Row Ag formulator Matt Curran breaks down four levels of mixing equipment - from basic barrels and drills to fully integrated cone-bottom systems - and explain how each impacts solution quality, labor time, and feed accuracy. You’ll learn:
If your validation numbers don’t line up - or your team is rushing mixes - this video explains exactly why. 00:00 Why mixing equipment matters00:40 Tier 1: Barrels + drills02:05 Tier 2: Fixed barrel mixers03:24 Why pumps & aeration cause problems04:27 Tier 3: Cone tanks & recirculation05:19 Tier 4: Dedicated impeller systems06:55 Water temperature & solubility08:29 Common failures from poor mixing09:28 Validation issues explained Apply for a commercial account and get direct technical support https://bit.ly/4pzL36A | |||
| Why Outdoor Growers Are Reconsidering Seeds | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:03:18 | |
Outdoor growers are rethinking the seed vs clone decision—and not for the reasons you might expect. In this conversation, Front Row Ag’s technical team breaks down how modern seed genetics, crop scheduling, and early environmental exposure are changing what’s possible outdoors. We cover:
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| Mixed Light & Outdoor: What Actually Determines Success | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:31:11 | |
Front Row Ag Technical Specialist Tyler Simmons chats with founders Matt Curran and Egan O’Keefe about what’s actually working in outdoor cultivation at commercial scale. In this conversation, the team breaks down real-world trends they’re seeing across commercial outdoor and mixed-light operations, including why many greenhouses end up costing nearly as much as indoor grows, how poor planning around light and infrastructure limits performance, and why smaller, in-ground plants are helping growers dramatically reduce labor and fertilizer costs. They cover practical topics like greenhouse design mistakes, DLI planning, plant spacing strategies, labor logistics, soil and water testing, fertilizer efficiency, and how some operators are moving from $25–50 per pound down to $10–15 per pound in just a few seasons. This episode is a grounded, field-tested discussion for cultivators navigating tighter margins, rising input costs, and the realities of large-scale outdoor production. Chapters 00:00 Greenhouse design mistakes 01:15 Why “indoor-level control” gets expensive 02:25 DLI and seasonal light reality 03:45 Sun spectrum vs indoor expression 05:10 Outdoor labor and plant size tradeoffs 06:55 In-ground vs container growing 08:45 Soil testing before feeding 11:30 Water quality challenges outdoors 13:05 Managing EC, sodium, and pH in fields 17:10 Silica and stress tolerance 22:10 Water temperature and pathogen pressure 25:00 Adjusting expectations by season 26:30 Enzymes in outdoor soil systems Apply for a commercial account for bulk pricing and technical support https://bit.ly/4jc8DVr | |||
| Nitrogen Source: Why We Don’t Use Ammonium Nitrate | 28 Mar 2026 | 00:01:48 | |
Front Row Ag formulator explains why our fertilizer is made with purified, prilled calcium nitrate. It provides stable nitrate nitrogen in “exceedingly high abundance,” supports protein formation, improves metabolic consistency, and avoids the volatility that can derail steering and crop uniformity. Ammonium isn’t “bad” - it’s just less predictable for high-value crop production. Purified CalNit like the main component in our Part A fertilizer, gives you control, consistency, and the absolute best protein formation. Chapters 0:00 Why We Don’t Use Ammonium 0:10 When Ammonium Makes Sense (Mass-Scale, Non-Flowering Crops) 0:23 High Salt Index and Rapid Tissue Movement Issues 0:36 Why High-End Crops Require Purified Calcium Nitrate 0:55 Protein Formation, Flower Development, and Metabolism Needs 1:10 Control vs. Variability: How Nitrate Behaves in the Plant 1:28 Why Front Row Ag Uses Only Purified, Prilled CalNit | |||
| pH Mistakes That Wreck Irrigation Systems | 28 Mar 2026 | 00:04:26 | |
Most irrigation problems we troubleshoot trace back to one thing: pH management mistakes. The most common? Trusting an inline meter and ignoring what’s happening in the batch tank. When pH Up hasn’t finished reacting, the real pH continues to drift upward—pushing the solution past 6.2, triggering calcium-phosphate precipitation, and eventually clogging filters and emitters.In this episode, Matt and Tyler break down why inline readings mislead at high flow rates, why the “15–20 minute rule” still matters, and how a simple 5-gallon bucket test gives you the only trustworthy pH-Up dose for your recipe.If your system keeps forming white chalky buildup or you’re fighting mysterious clogs, this is your fix. | |||
| The Best Grows Have The Best Janitors | 28 Mar 2026 | 00:25:45 | |
At the heart of every successful facility is a cleaning SOP. In this episode, Tyler Simmons and Mike Harnos break down why even the most advanced setups fail when sanitation slips. From floor drains and biofilm to HVAC and mini-split nightmares, we explore how simple cleaning habits can prevent six-figure losses and burnout across your entire team. 💡 Topics covered: • Commonly ignored contamination hotspots • Real examples of facility outbreaks traced to poor cleaning • The true cost of “saving” on janitorial work • How morale and cleanliness go hand in hand 📘 Learn more or apply for commercial account: https://bit.ly/3WkYefw 🎓 Pre-register for the Cultivator Course: https://bit.ly/440j8EO | |||
| VPD Made Simple: 3-Minute Crash Course | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:03:10 | |
If you had 3 minutes to explain Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD), where would you start? In this short video, Front Row Ag’s Tyler Simmons breaks down VPD in plain language. What it is, how it connects to relative humidity, and why there’s a “Goldilocks zone” that maximizes plant water and nutrient uptake. You’ll learn how air moisture levels create suction forces that pull water through the plant, how stomata react under stress, and why finding balance between humidity, temperature, and airflow is key for consistent growth. Ready to take your understanding further? 📘 Pre-register for the Front Row Ag Certified Cultivator Course — a complete introduction to Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), covering light management, temperature, VPD, CO₂, irrigation strategy, and root-zone optimization. 👉 https://bit.ly/440j8EO Interested in professional-grade inputs or commercial support? 💼 Apply for a commercial account here: https://bit.ly/3WkYefw | |||
| Avoid the VPD Death Spiral | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:05:55 | |
When you’re cultivating in a sealed environment like a grow room or a grow tent, running high CO₂ without enough humidity can trigger what Tyler calls the VPD Death Spiral — a feedback loop where humidity drops, stomata close, and growth grinds to a halt. This episode breaks down:
If you’ve ever seen plants stop transpiring in a sealed setup, this one’s for you. 00:00 – The VPD Death Spiral Explained00:38 – Why CO₂ Makes It Worse01:15 – The Feedback Loop in Sealed Rooms02:00 – How to Fix It (Humidifiers & Light Control)03:00 – Real-World Examples Get Front Row Ag Certified to deepen your understanding of controlled environment cultivation: https://bit.ly/3WkYefw Apply for a commercial account to get product support, bulk pricing, and personalized cultivation guidance. https://bit.ly/4oy4A7n | |||
| Hydroponic Mysteries Solved: pH, Water Temp & Irrigation Mistakes | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:16:51 | |
Why do some hydroponic grows see great yields in winter… then slow growth, yellowing, or strange pH problems in summer? In this video, Front Row Ag’s Matt and Tyler share real cases from commercial facilities where:
👉 If your hydroponic plants are showing slow growth, stunted roots, low pH, or misleading runoff data, this episode will help you spot the hidden root zone issues that most growers miss. Front Row Ag’s commercial team helps operators diagnose and solve these mysteries every day — so if you’re tired of chasing mysterious issues and want consistent yields with expert support, apply for a commercial account today. https://bit.ly/4dNIjjC | |||
| Proven Cloning Practices Every Commercial Cultivation Facility Should Use | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:10:55 | |
Front Row technical expert Tyler Simmons breaks down the cloning practices that separate thriving facilities from the rest. In this video, he covers:
Tyler also explains how to reset declining strains in just a few cycles, plus practical tips for clone hydration, cutting technique, and mother plant training. Whether you’re troubleshooting slow-rooting clones or fine-tuning a production SOP, this is a must-watch for consistent, vigorous results. Visit our website’s Resources tab for our Simplified Cloning SOP with commercial cloning recommendations. | |||
| Keeping Large Grows on Schedule | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:03:26 | |
Managing a commercial cultivation facility means keeping track of hundreds of moving parts—propagation, transplanting, sanitizing, plant training, and more. In this episode, Egan O’Keefe breaks down how ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems can bring order to the chaos. Topics covered: • How ERP software like Canix, Dutchie, BioTrack, and others help with compliance and plant tracking • Scheduling propagation, topping, culling, and other recurring tasks • Creating strain-specific profiles for better timing and canopy management • Apps Vs. Big Dry Erase Calendars • The importance of daily team meetings to adjust priorities and handle curveballs Whether you’re using advanced cultivation software or keeping it old-school, the key is having a clear, daily plan that your whole team follows. Chapters 0:00 Intro 0:05 ERP systems and compliance tracking 0:34 Scheduling propagation & rotation tasks 1:18 Strain profiles & canopy management 2:05 Low-tech alternatives that work 2:36 Importance of daily team meetings | |||
| Fix Uneven Watering Before You Touch Crop Steering | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:37:35 | |
Uneven watering wrecks consistency. In this episode, Omar from Rivulis joins Tyler from Front Row Ag to break down the most common mistakes in irrigation system design, from pressure regulation to clogged emitters, and how to fix them with real-world setups and smarter components. 💡 Learn:
📌 Perfect for: growers, irrigation techs, facility managers, and anyone building or troubleshooting fertigation/irrigation systems in commercial agriculture. Chapters 00:00 – Why Uneven Watering Happens in New Facilities 01:30 – Pressure ≠ Flow: What Every Grower Gets Wrong 03:00 – Common Mistakes: Leader Pumps Without Pressure Regs 04:05 – You Can’t Crop Steer if Your Irrigation is Garbage 05:30 – How to Calculate Flow, PSI, and Zone Design Like a Pro 06:45 – Why Emitters Matter & How to Pick the Right One 08:00 – How Often Should You Replace Drippers? 09:45 – Fixing Filters, Clogged Emitters & Cleaning Mistakes 13:15 – Correct Way to Clean Irrigation Lines (2-Part Flush Method) 20:00 – Understanding Opening Pressure vs Sealing Pressure 24:30 – Sizing Pumps, Choosing Tubing, and Avoiding Supply Mistakes 32:00 – Automatic Flush Valves: Worth It or Waste? | |||
| Are You Overdoing Defoliation? | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:09:06 | |
Join Tyler and Egan as they break down the science and strategy behind defoliation in commercial cultivation. Are you removing too much? Too little? Learn how to balance airflow, light penetration, and plant energy reserves for optimal yield. 00:00 – Why Overdefoliation Happens 00:41 – Leaves = Energy: What You Lose When You Strip 02:47 – Balancing Light Penetration vs. Storage 03:37 – How to Read Your Canopy Like a Pro 05:13 – What Causes Overgrowth and How to Prevent It 06:01 – The Light Trick to Set a Defol Standard 07:26 – Strain-Specific Defol: Not One-Size-Fits-All 08:28 – Why You Might Want to Remove Top Leaves Instead 08:50 – Don’t Forget the Middle Canopy! | |||
| Where Bacteria Hides in Your Facility and How to Eliminate It for Good | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:17:09 | |
Commercial cultivators lose tens of thousands in yield and labor every year—because of bacteria they can’t see. This conversation between Tyler Simmons and Egan O’Keefe of Front Row breaks down the hidden contamination risks in your fertigation setup, RO filters, HVAC, and humidifiers—and how to fix them before it’s too late. From preventative sanitation tips to in-cycle emergency solutions like enzymatic cleaners, this video is packed with actionable steps to protect your crop and facility. 👉 If you’re running a facility and want to trial Front Row nutrients or level up your operations with our Certified Technician Training, learn more at https://www.frontrowag.com/ 📍 Chapters 00:00 – Introduction: Why Bacteria Builds Up in the First Place 00:15 – Common Contamination Points in Water Systems 01:22 – Shocking Agricultural Wells and Pre-Tank Sanitation 02:09 – Storage Tank Strategies and Preventative Chlorination 03:33 – Free Chlorine Residuals and Systemic Demand 04:38 – What to Do When It’s Too Late: Enzymatic Cleaners 06:08 – Retrofitting Lines for Maintenance Access 08:04 – Air and HVAC: The Overlooked Contamination Vector 09:02 – Humidifiers: A Perfect Pathogen Breeding Ground 10:46 – Cleaning Between Rounds: Veg vs Flower Rooms 12:05 – Diagnosing Biological vs Mineral Blockages 13:14 – Sampling and Mapping Out Contamination Sources 14:00 – Environmental Triggers: VOCs, Leaks, and Construction Materials 15:00 – Why We Built the Front Row Certified Tech Training 16:00 – How Support from Our Team Helps Commercial Clients | |||
| Maximize Yield Per Sq Ft: Egan & Tyler on Canopy Strategy | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:13:00 | |
Tyler Simmons (Technical Expert at Front Row Ag) and Egan O'Keefe (Co-Founder of Front Row Ag and Director of Cultivation at Story) dive deep into the critical aspects of optimizing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) cultivation. They explore the intricacies of plant spacing, canopy density, and trellising techniques, providing valuable insights for growers looking to maximize yield and quality. Topics Covered: 00:20 - Optimizing usable flower sites per cubic foot 01:43 - Balancing plant size, veg time, and plant spacing 02:24 - Issues with high planting density and large plants 02:47 - Shade Avoidance Response 04:04 - Balancing veg duration and plant spacing 05:06 - The cubic canopy 05:17 - Calculating veg time per square foot for crop rotation 05:27 - Unique considerations for vertical facilities 06:17 - Trellising and plant training during the stretch phase 08:01 - Optimizing bench space utilization 08:39 - Branch density and trellising techniques 10:12 - Selective pruning and defoliation 11:12 - Balancing trellising, plant spacing, and canopy density for maximum yield and quality 11:44 - Consequences of improper planting density Tyler and Egan offer practical advice and rule-of-thumb calculations to help growers achieve the perfect balance in their cultivation practices. They discuss the importance of considering factors such as strain vigor, growth rates, and facility design when developing an optimization strategy. Follow so you never miss out on expert insights from the Front Row Ag team! | |||
| Best Practices for Algae Prevention in CEA | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:08:26 | |
Front Row account manager and crop advisor Mike Harnos and technical expert Tyler Simmons break down one of the hidden threats in controlled environment agriculture: algae in water systems. In this video, they cover:
If you’re running a commercial facility, this discussion highlights critical steps to protect your fertigation system and prevent costly downtime. 📌 Want to trial the Front Row Ag A/B/Bloom fertilizer system in your facility? Apply for a commercial account today | |||