Cultivating Conversations:
Inside Mountain View Nursery with Head Grower Eric DeBruyn
When Eric DeBruyn walks the greenhouse at Mountain View Nursery in San Diego, he isn’t looking at dashboards or screens. He’s looking at the crop itself.
“I try to focus on the color of the leaves,” he says. “That tells me a lot. And also the color and the shape of the flowers. I don’t like to rely on a lot of sensors or computer systems to grow plants. I like to be out there looking at them and deciding for myself what that plant needs.”
Rooted in Family History
The nursery’s story began in the 1980s, when Eric’s grandfather, father, and uncle immigrated from the Netherlands and built the greenhouse from the ground up. Today, that legacy continues with a team of 18 employees split between greenhouse production and shipping, serving peak demand through Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day.
They grow about 10 different plant types, nearly 50 varieties in total, but Eric has his favorites:
“My favorite crop would be the anthuriums for sure, and a really close second would be the spathiphyllum,” he says. “They take anywhere from six to ten months to grow. If you have one thing that’s off, you’re going to see it months down the road. You have to be on it. I like the challenge. You’re always learning.” California’s consistent year-round climate provides stability, but precision still matters, especially with long-cycle crops where small decisions early on shape the final product months later.
Why the Switch to BM5 Natural Fiber & Aggregate – Wood HP
BM5 Natural Fiber & Aggregate – Wood HP from Berger.
“The Berger product that we use is BM5 HP, and we’ve been using it for about three years,” Eric explains. “Before, we were using soil from Latvia. We knew Berger came from Canada, and it made sense for us to switch.”
The decision wasn’t just about geography, it was about performance and economics. “It saved us a lot of money. We get a lot more pots per pallet of soil, and it ended up being cheaper for us.”
But the biggest difference showed up in the crop itself.
“The biggest impact that I’ve seen switching to Berger is that it’s easier for the soil to absorb water and to keep wet throughout the growing cycle,” he says. “Because it holds a little bit more water, we have more shelf life when the plants are in the stores.”
For a grower focused on leaf color, flower shape, and long-term quality, that consistency matters, especially when product performance extends beyond the greenhouse and into retail environments.
A Partnership That Supports Growth
Beyond the mix itself, Eric values the relationship behind it.
“The whole Berger team has been easy to work with, especially our sales rep, Kevin Hall. He’s always on it. If we need something, he’s always there.”
Looking ahead, Mountain View Nursery remains focused on evolution, such as new varieties, expanded square footage, and improved efficiency.
“We’re always looking for new opportunities to grow,” Eric says. “Whether it’s more greenhouse space or becoming more efficient, we’re always looking for something better.”
