I had the chance to visit a massive Garden Expo with Corey from @UpNorthGardenMI and it was such an inspiring experience! 🌱 This video takes you behind the scenes of the event, showcasing the latest gardening products, tools, décor, and trends.
While exploring the expo, I also used the opportunity to network with companies about future collaborations — and a few are already showing interest, which I’m so excited about!
Corey, Liam, and I had an amazing time discovering everything this Garden Expo had to offer, and I can’t wait to share the experience with you. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, looking for fresh ideas, or just curious about what happens at a garden expo, this video is packed with inspiration!
@UpNorthGardenMI
@gardencrossings
#GardenExpo #GardeningCommunity #GardenIdeas #UpNorthGardenMI #GardenInspiration
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00:00-00:40 Intro
00:41-01:14 The Drive
01:15-03:54 Before the Show
03:55-09:37 Touring the Expo
09:38-19:37 Recap & Outro
19:38-20:38 End Photos
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Hi everybody. Welcome back. My name’s Nicholas. Today I have a super fun video for you guys and we’re going to go on a trip, but it’s going to be so it’s going to be a couple days for me, but just one video for you. So, we’re going to go and meet up with Corey and Liam with UPN North Garden. And I promise that it will this video will be garden related, but we have some fun things um on the schedule. So, I’m excited to just get going. So, that’s what I’m going to do. And I will explain everything further when we get there. [Music] [Music] So, So, the trip that I took is not that far. We’re actually in Cleveland, Ohio. Funny enough, I don’t believe I’ve ever been to Cleveland. And if I have, maybe I drove through, but I don’t remember. So, yeah. And but we’re right near the water and it’s it’s quite pretty and the weather is is decent. But I was invited to an event with some people that you guys might recognize. So, let’s talk to them for a second. I’m here with Corey and Liam. Hey. Hey, everybody. Hello. So, what have you invited me to? Well, this is a company called BFG Supply, and they supply a lot of garden centers and nurseries with their products like their hard goods. Some they also connect people with the plants that they’re going to get. And so, this is basically a buyer show. So, he gets to see stuff that and and dirt. Yeah. Lots of soil. Lots of Well, stuff. I’m here. Okay. I want to be here because I want to network, but you wanted me here for something else, right? I wanted to get your opinion on a couple products because cuz I have great style and he loves dirt. You already told us he’s a dirt guy. I love dirt. I want I I need a I need a soil company to fall in love with me so they can supply me all the soil in the world. So, we are introducing him to all the soil afficionados, dirt people. And and I heard there’s going to be something you like too, right? And I’m the food afficionado. I will I will fill you in at the end about all the foods they have here. And I hope you’re not disappointed with the food. I’m sure it’ll be good. Oh, I can’t I really can’t be disappointed with food. I’m a foodie. So, we uh we’re here and it’s beautiful. I’m I’m guessing this is Lake Erie behind us. Yes. I don’t know what else it would be. Well, you’re not from Ohio. Oh, you are from Ohio. I’m from Ohio. That’s pitiful. But I don’t I don’t know. Michigan folk know our Great Lakes really well. Well, yeah, you guys would. I’m in I’m from like the uh the south. You’re down south. The country like the country folk. We call it the banana belt. Yeah. Yeah. You’re from the tropics compared to where we are from because we’re from the way way cold northern tundra. Oh, because we’re warmer. Hello. I I feel like I’m in Hawaii right now. All right. Well, we are going to go in. I have been informed by Corey that it is quite loud sometimes in there, so I don’t know what the audio will be like. So, I might have to just show you some stuff and talk about it later or talk over or whatnot. But we’re going to get in there and get going so that this man can get something to eat and I can find some soil. So, we’ll see you in just a minute. [Music] Hey, hey, [Music] hey. [Music] We’re in the thick of it right now, you guys. And I am super excited because there are some companies that I have been really wanting to at least talk to to see if we could, you know, work together or do I don’t know. And it’s been really cool. Like two of my like like top companies uh I got to talk to and and I’m really excited about it. But we’re just going to get back to it and keep it going. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] They have these cute little pockets where they like put a bunch of plants together and they look really really good. So they have like mums uh grass. This is the Niagara Falls panicum. They even have some rows of Sharons, which I’m usually not like into all that much, but these ones are pretty. It actually looks really nice. And then they have these. This has to be a karaopterus. Yep. Sapphire surf blue beard karaopterus. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Okay, you guys. I would say that that was a pretty successful trip. I I mean I didn’t get anything and I don’t know if you are but it was fun. Oh the we saw tons of stuff like everybody who’s anybody is kind of here as far as like stuff that you can see stuff you don’t expect to be here. The thing that I think that I liked the most is what we saw on the last round and it was those what was the the bron pots. They were so good. And it’s so weird because we were looking at um their whole setup and there wasn’t a single pot that I didn’t like. Yeah. And the big ones that they had I don’t think you saw. I got to take you in tomorrow to show you these pots. They’re textured and they look really nice and weathered. And they have decent size, too. So, they’re not just the little baby ones cuz there’s tons of little baby pots everywhere that you can get that look cool. But bigger ones are harder to come by. Yeah. And they’re large. Like 20 in, 18 in. like large pots, even bigger. And um even the red one I liked. And I don’t even like red, but so that’s that I found that very exciting and surprising, but I know that you’re anxious. Let’s talk about food. I am the food critic of this show. So we had breakfast. No, did we have breakfast? We had bagels. It was bagels. Oh, no, we didn’t really have breakfast. And muffins and co hot coffee. And they had tea, which is what I drink. kind of a lot of places they never have tea. Okay. So, how does it rank in breakfast rankings? Uh, you have Yeah, I bagels. Come on. You know, dry dry bagels. I didn’t have any. Oh, I had a Snickers for breakfast. A little one. Well, I had two of those, too. But I didn’t have any bagels. And how about lunch? Uh, lunch was lunch was um What was lunch again? It was great. It was those little Oh, Jesus. I’m sorry. Lunch was perogi and uh sauerkraut. Sauerkraut. Uh desserts. These little tartlets with chicken of some kind. Some kind of sweet potato pancakes. Sweet. Uh uh. It was Yeah. Some kind fancy chicken. Uh dry fancy chicken, but it’s still good. But it tasted very good. Yeah. And u and little eclares. Probably Sam’s Club or Costco, but they were good. Tasted fine. Um yeah. Yeah. So that was the lunch and any and drink. It was stuff to drink. Yeah. But then they the showstopper was dinner. Yeah. Right. Right. They had like a reception in the ballroom. It was really Yeah. Open bar. Uh all kinds of hard liquor. All the wine with music so loud that my phone said, “You’re in a loud environment.” So it was loud, but it was great music. And of course, anybody from the 70s would have loved the music. You know, play that funky music. White Boy, it’s a Brick House. They had all the favorites. Yeah. Like when I was a teenager. Live. Yeah. Yeah. No, when I was a teenager. when I was a teenager and he was just a little glimmer of I was I was nothing in the 70s and anyway so that was good but then they had a pulled pork. The pulled pork was the best thing the whole time. Mac and cheese a little soggy macaroni but I ate some. And then they had kind of like a hummus bar too with hummus and we were pretty pleased with the lemonade homemade lemonade selection. Their peach peach lemonade was so tasty. But I’m a drinker. I don’t I’m that’s a I’m not an alcoholic. I don’t drink alcohol, but I’m a drink person. Like I would always choose a drink over food and so would I. So would I. Hey. And uh it was it was good. I was chugging. I wasn’t chugging because they chugging. They gave me a double to start with. They gave me a No, it was very nice. Yeah. Have I mention I’ve mentioned the alcohol already, right? They had a great open bar. Yeah, they had an open bar. But other than food, something exciting that I wanted to talk about. So, like I was saying, I came here cuz I wanted to network and and dip my toe into the gardening scene and get like talking to professionals and stuff, but there were a couple companies that I was like crossing my fingers that I would like talk to and it would work out. And it actually might like DRAM, which they do like the watering wands that I love. They seemed interested with Drram. What was even more cool is that he met the guy who designed the the like watering head that he love. Like he was telling me like, “Oh, and I love the red watering head.” So I said to him, I said, “Well, do you need a picture of the red wing?” And the guy’s like, “Oh, I designed that.” Yeah. Like I always unscrew the black head that comes on the watering wand and u add the red one. And the guy was like saying that he used like a Dremel tool and like made it himself and then now they sell it. And I’m like that’s so cool. like so yeah it was then that’s one happy water boy Antonio boy water and dirt which was the other company that I got to talk to well I actually talked to a couple but I think out of someone should at least want to work with me it was absolutely several soil companies I was surprised because I think beforehand you were a little shy and timid you were so nervous but when you started talking to people you just it was so natural for you I’m I’m I’m a pretty shy person like um I would never put myself into a social social setting unless I’m forced like they forced me to come here and um and then as soon as I get into it like I can open up but it’s just not I don’t know it’s not my you were completely natural when you were talking to those people so Oh well that’s good I get the shy part I sold myself this one’s never shy I get the shy I’m sure I’m sure I’m sure you do all right uh what else did we want to talk about is there anything on our lap around did we see anything else that probably did you see that the the bags of dirt in that one place. Yeah, that was they did. That was incredible thing. Yeah, you even got a sticker from one of the dirt. I got They wouldn’t take the sticker. I took the sticker. It said, “I’m a dirt bag.” And I thought that kind of zappropo. So, well, it was my fault. I passed the person up because I thought she was trying to talk to me and want to sell me something. So, I was like, “No, I don’t want that sticker.” But I kind of wanted it. Well, it’s on my bag and you can have my bag. Oh, okay. All right. But I’d say it was success. Yeah, it was a good show. Yeah. And uh even if anything or if nothing like it was good food. Now, you weren’t there at the time, too. Uh we both got to talk to Heidi. Yeah. Heidi crossings. That was a She was Yeah, you did meet her. Um and she gave us so much time and she was so 30 plus minutes like Mhm. And that was it was cool. Like it’s so strange when you wa like you watch someone uh on YouTube. That’s how obviously I know her. You know her maybe through that, but also because of your dealings with garden center and stuff. Really? That’s how and um and I don’t know, it just like everyone I’ve ever met like who also does YouTube, I always think that they’re going to be like some big star or something and they’re just regular people. Yeah. Like people I But it was it was really cool talking to her. She invited me well kind of. I Liam invited me to go there, but I’ll probably go next year. So, next year I have a plan that I want to go to Michigan and I want to go to like uh your place uh garden crossings. What are the other places? There’s Well, it depends on what time of year you go. And I want to go hook you up because if you go in the spring, you get to see a lot of the annuals and production and a lot of that kind of stuff. If you come in the fall, you we could get you into the trial gardens. You definitely want to go to Walters Gardens. They do all perennials and they have gardens that I think they don’t mind the public going by if you kind of touch base with them ahead of time and uh they’re I mean that’s beautiful and I haven’t we haven’t been to Spring Meadow yet. That’s where all the proven winter shrubs come from. Yeah. Oh, and they have if we want to see hydrangeas like that is hydrangeanger heaven there. So, and some of them also have food. Yep. Well, that’s good. And and speaking of plants too, there was a plant Oh, yeah. grower, I guess, that I talked to who is in northern Columbus area. They invited me. So hopefully, actually, they invited me within the next 3 weeks to do a tour. So maybe hopefully I can get that put together and have that for you guys. My favorite though is how the conversation started cuz he went and he goes, “Oh, Acorn, I just bought an arborite that was from a PL.” And the guy said, “Yeah, that was ours.” And so he you just bought one of their plants. Yeah. And I bought it from Oakland Nursery and then they supply Oakland or however it goes with plants and stuff. So or they’re owned by the same I don’t I don’t remember what it was. It was a small world moment like suddenly they’re talking and he’s like where are you from? And like they were it was like neighbors. Yeah. So it it turned out but I I I had a good time. But I think if we sit in this spot too much longer, we’re all going to be high. Yeah. Yeah. That’s true. There’s some off gasing. There’s herb off gasing. Yeah. Some somebody’s doing some herbs. And it smells very old. Yeah. And Liam’s neck from going back and forth like back and forth like never put me in the middle again. You know what I mean? And I guess we’re done about talking about the food. Eh, I didn’t feel I really I didn’t feel I really got enough time about the food. I’m going to let it go. No, I’m going to let No, no, I’m going to let it go. I’m going to let it go. Well, the next time I’m going to have a script. Okay, good. Yeah, the next time we can talk about your second hummus plate. It was mostly vegetables. It was like lots of carrots and cucumbers. Yeah. You can tell we have had a lot of fun on this trip. It was like work and play the whole time. Yeah. Yeah. It’s It’s been really It’s been a really good time. I enjoyed it and I can’t wait until the next time. We don’t have anything scheduled, but we’re going to need to Yeah. Just cuz it’s a riot, I think. Yeah. Hanging out with you guys. But I really hope you guys enjoyed this video. Hopefully it comes together. I don’t know. When you’re filming somewhere, it can be, I don’t know, messy. You don’t know if things are going to turn out right. And hopefully, you’re seeing this and I don’t just scrap the whole thing. But, but thank you so much for watching and we will see you very soon. Keep learning and keep growing. Take care. Bye. [Music]
46 Comments
Thank you so much for watching! 🌱
Have you ever been to a garden expo? What’s your favorite new gardening product or idea you’ve discovered lately? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear from you!
That was so much fun! Love all the things. The pots oh my gosh and loved all the moss. Love seeing Corey and Liam! Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you for taking us along with you to this expo. So much fun and wish we were with you.
Heidi lives by me! Her garden center is BEAUTIFUL
When you come to Michigan, visit Meijer Gardens, and there are a couple of really lovely home gardens around here. I know a girl 😉
So much fun!!! Thanks Nick!!!
I'm a Dirt Babe too!😂 Cannot wait to see if you do something with a soil company. I have questions. Its so cool you met the engineer of the water 💧head…and Acorn 🚜 farms, had no idea somebody like them was supplying Oakland. That's crazy!
Liam was some fun, and Corey too😊Awesome video❤
I saw so much stuff I would like. Fun trip.
Fun!!! Thanks.
Loved this video and seeing all those amazing pots! Listening to the three of you talk about the event was so fun! I could tell you really enjoyed the time together. Liam had me laughing out loud, he also seems like such a great guy and a lot of fun to hang out with. Hope you get some well-deserved sponsorships out of this Nick. ❤
How fun!! Just love seeing all those amazing pots!
OMG Nick, the 3 of you together are brilliant! More videos with all of you please!
That was unexpected and fun ❤😊
It was nice to meet you Nick🌸
5:23 oh my gosh I want that lamb 🤗🍁💚🙃
Just wondering if you can buy anything there maybe I should wait till the end of the video to ask that question ? 🍁💚🙃
If I had a million dollars 🎵🎵🎵 make that several million dollars I would have to rent a semi to bring everything home that I liked 🤗🍁💚🙃
The three of you together are hilarious! 🤗🍁💚🙃
Thank you Nicholaus that was fun ! 🤗🍁💚🙃
Nice
Loved the three of you together. So much un. I hope the watering wand folks and Happy Frog become your "friends". Looks like you will be traveling.
Great video. Really enjoy watching the three of you together. The laughter is the best. Hoping you get some kind of a partnership out of this with one of the companies. Take care. 😊
I really enjoy you guys😊😊😊
That was a really enjoyable video. Laughed with you guys at the end. Gret content.
My 3 favorites together ❤ Loved it
Your Tshirt!!!❤
So glad you had fun! I used to work at a garden center in Maryland and I always looked forward to going to the trade show MANTS and shopping trips (I was the pottery buyer). I think that the gardening community is full of such truly nice people. Enjoy!
What a fun trip. The pots were really pretty. And such an assortment. I have been to the Indy garden shows several times…Thank you for taking us along.
Nick, I enjoyed this video so much, partly because you three are such happy people. Saw some Beautiful pots I would love to own.
Did I spy Michael Carr pots? Beautiful! How fun! Hope one of the companies you talked to will work with you.
OMG you 3 guys are so fun!!
I enjoyed you showing us the buying show that you went to with Cory & Liam. And I watch their Up North Garden channel. You were all having a good time.
wow! thanks for sharing:) i love all of the terra cotta pots
Did you get to the rock n roll hall of fame?
You three are so funny together. Glad you made some good connections.
I ordered the watering wand after seeing you use it. I hope you got credit for it. I also ordered from Garden crossings a couple of weeks ago. Their shipment of the plants was excellent.
Love seeing the 3 of you guys together. What great friends!
You guys are hilarious!! So fun to spend time!!!
💜💜💜💜
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Nicholaus, this was such a fun video, and hearing all the laughter was the best part. I hope you get to partner with a couple of the companies that you want to work with.
I saw so many things at the Garden Expo that need to find their way into my garden. Your mom would probably love to have the pony in her garden. Blessings to all of you.
I'm praying for rain for Ohio. 🙏
Great video. Hope it was productive as well as fun! Enjoyed it.
You guys together are the best. You crack me up. Nick, you are so down to earth and such a great person. I love watching your channel. It’s like hanging with a friend. I hope you get sponsored by the company of your choice. You deserve it.
You three make for a great video. Loved it and all the beautiful items you showed. If you feed Liam, he will keep you laughing. Hope you do more. Loved your tee shirt as well. Sandi
The chemistry is golden.