Nursery Grower Playbook
Your step-by-step guide to stronger production, smarter inputs, and better margins at the 2026 Nursery/Landscape EXPO.
TEXAS NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION
Step 1: Grow Better Plants with Better Production Systems
Production mistakes cost money. Poor propagation, weak plant performance, and inefficient growing systems quietly destroy margins. These must-attend demo sessions will change that.
1
Success in Propagating Adaptable Texas Plants
Sean Markovic, Green Lake Nursery
2 Applied Research Results from Texas Nursery Industry Trials
Paul Winski, Texas A&M University
3 Your Plants Are Talking, Are You Listening?
Matt Bonavita, Green Laniel
4
Transforming Growing Spaces with Next-Gen Greenhouse Solutions
Dave Bishop, Next G3N Greenhouses Why This Matters
• Improve nursery growing consistency
• Strengthen propagation success
• Reduce production loss
• Improve greenhouse efficiency
• Increase sellable inventory
Better production systems = healthier crops + fewer losses + stronger margins
Step 2: Reduce Inputs Without Sacrificing Performance
Fertilizer costs, soil issues, and inefficient inputs reduce profitability fast. These sessions show you how to do more with less.
Balancing Fertilizer
Inputs with Mycorrhizal Function
Anissa Poleatewich, Sumitomo Biorational Company (Demo)
Innovative Uses of Lightweight
Aggregate Tyler Wright, Austin Wood Recycling (Aug. 11 Education)
Healthy Soils Support
Healthy Trees
Wei Zhang, Zynnovation LLC / The Institute of Soil Genomics (Aug. 11 Education)
Growing Stunning Roses: The Power of Soil Health
Jim Keeter, Jr., Antique Rose Emporium (Aug. 11 Education)
ROI: Smarter inputs = lower costs + stronger plant performance + better profitability
Step 3: Stay Ahead of Pest & Disease
Disease outbreaks don't just hurt plants — they hurt customer trust, contracts, and profitability. These sessions include CEUs from the Texas Department of Agriculture and are held on Aug. 11th.
Integrated Pest Management and Rose
Rosette Disease
Laura Miller, Texas AgriLife Extension
Principles of Systems Approach to Plant Disease Management
Dr. Kevin Ong, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Vigilance and Surveillance for New, Emerging and Re-emerging Plant Disease Issues
Dr. Kevin Ong, Texas AgriLife Extension Service
The Power of Good Bugs: Enhancing Your IPM Program
Paul Winski, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Step 4: Grow What Buyers Will Actually Purchase
Growing the wrong inventory is expensive. These sessions help you align your production with real market demand — from landscapers to retailers to proven performers.
Bridging the Gap: How Growers Can Elevate Design with Texas Plants
Adrian Muehlstein, TMCNP, Southwest Wholesale Nursery (Aug. 11 Education)
Native Alternatives to Popular Landscape Plants
George Cates and Weston Neiman, Native American Seed (Aug. 12 Demo)
Plant Performance from the 2025 Texas Superstar® Trial
Paul Winski, Texas A&M University (Aug. 12 Demo)
These Sessions Help You Understand
• What landscapers want
• What retailers are asking for
• What native & adaptive plants are driving demand
• What proven performers move fastest
ROI: Smarter crop selection = faster inventory turns + stronger buyer relationships + better revenue
Step 5: Build a Stronger Workforce & Better Operations
Labor issues are margin issues. Weak systems create waste. These sessions give you the tools to hire better, retain longer, and run leaner operations.
How to Build & Update
Standard Operating Procedures
Kevin Keim, McFarlin Stanford (Aug. 11 Education)
3 Power Sessions
Focused on workforce and operations
Growing Great Employees
Part 1 + Part 2
Justin Doresy, Texas HR Team (Aug. 12 Demo)
2 Days of Learning
Aug. 11 & 12 education tracks
TNLA's Hiring Process Toolkit
Career Center Tailgate — NEW on the Tradeshow Floor (Aug. 12 Demo)
1 Goal Less owner burnout, stronger margins
ROI: Better teams + better systems = stronger productivity + better margins + less owner burnout
August 12 Bonus: The Show Floor Is Your Competitive Edge
The tradeshow floor on Aug. 12 is where production technology, buyer connections, and real-world tools come together. Don't miss these must-see demonstrations.
Root Management for Trees
Matt Campbell, Arborjet
From Greenhouse to
Jobsite: Portable Generator Power Solutions
Michael Brawner, Ed.S., Holt
Growers Meet Retailers
Meet Up
Located at the Meet Up Garden
The Show Floor Helps You
• See new production technology live
• Discover tools that improve efficiency
• Connect directly with buyers
• Understand what retailers want next
Better decisions + stronger partnerships = faster growth + stronger profitability
Final Truth: Your Competitors Are Coming
They'll leave with stronger strategies, better systems, and a head start on 2027. The only question is — will you?
Stronger Strategies
Better disease prevention and smarter production systems
Stronger Relationships
Better buyer connections and retail partnerships
Stronger Margins
A better 2027 plan starts at EXPO 2026
Because one session could save your season. And missing EXPO could cost far more than not attending ever will.
Discover what's new, what's next, and what works — register now for the 2026 EXPO Education program at this year's Nursery/Landscape EXPO.
The Nursery/Landscape EXPO is produced by the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association.