The Great Big Home + Garden Show gives us a mid-winter taste of spring

It’s the middle of WINTER in CLEVELAND, the rodent has ventured out of his den and promised six more weeks of cold and snow and people everywhere in Northeast Ohio need a SPRING-FIX-NOW! What better way to scratch that warm weather Jones than to head out to The Great Big Home + Garden Show presented by Carrier.

The show runs through February 12, 2023 at the Cleveland I-X Center located near the Cleveland Hopkins Airport. This year’s show features over 400 vendor booths that cover every inch of your home, yard and garden. On the Main Stage stop by to hear talks by HGTV personality Joe Mazza who will tell you what to look for when buying used property. “Room By Room” HGTV star Matt Fox returns this year as the main stage emcee with loads of wit and home improvement knowledge.

The ever popular JDM Hudson Modular Home (sponsored by Cleveland Magazine) features a bright and inviting floor plan that maximizes the 1,285 square feet of living area. You will fall in love with the practical and comfortable kitchen with its well thought out dining island that comes complete with extra storage areas and counter space. The Master Bedroom and bathroom suite comes with a large walk-in closet, double vanity and soaking tub.

The footprint of the home works well for narrow lake lots or small city building lots with the attached garage adding additional convenience and security. Outside you can entertain on your very own pergola with summer barbecues, fall football gatherings and spring graduations and weddings. For the more hardy souls it can even be used as a protective cooking area in the winter. This home is ideal as a first time purchase or a downsized retirement residence. Returning once again, Weaver Barns has a variety of various out buildings for various uses on your property.

The Great Big Home + Garden Show would not be complete without...THE THEMED GARDENS! This year the theme is “The Movies” with eight landscapers showing off their talents. Brothers Grimm Landscape & Design has chosen “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” featuring a built in pool, outdoor kitchen and pavilion. CK Stonescapes showcased their version of “The Secret Garden” with its fireplace, kitchen, bar and retractable canopies. Maple Ridge Nursery and Garden Center’s entry is “Niagara” with its water fountain surrounded by rocks and ferns, as well as a variety of unusual plants and accessories available in their garden shop next door.

Falling Waters Ohio LLC went way out west with “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” that uses pines, fir and cypress trees as well as dwarf conifers. This modern version of “the hole in the wall hideout” is upgraded with a rustic stone patio, fire pit, and cedar fencing with a rushing water course set in the back. Natural Falls Construction chose “Unforgiven” as their theme where former desperado William Munny would feel right at home with its picturesque backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, waterfalls, creek beds and rustic bridge.

Kimmell’s Premier Landscape Ltd. Went all scary themed “Friday the 13th” with a recreation of Camp Crystal Lake. Along with a rather well worn canoe in the foreground there is an assortment of evergreens, winter interest shrubs, low-growing colorful plants and walking paths that take you past the archery range, water course, fire pit area and other possible hiding places where Jason might lurk. Trinity Outdoor Solutions did a Scottish theme with “Braveheart” with its rolling hills, glens, forest and lush landscape. Rounding out the gardens this year is Ohio Landscape Association’s whose unthemed garden features two large patios, a pergola, a fire pit surrounded by a variety of colorful plants, trees and perennials.

Additional featured vendors include Mulberry Creek Herb Farm with a large variety of houseplants, succulents and micro houseplants as well as bonsai plants and pottery. Carvings by Chris has the ex-stonecarver turning logs into genuine works of art using nothing more than a chainsaw and hand tools. Your Garden Specialists offers you a wide array of spring bulbs including Dutch bulbs, lilies and bare root perennials direct from Holland. The children will love burning up their excess energy on the various playground sets at the Playmor Swing Sets display. Pandy’s Garden Center specializes in indoor plants who would love to go home with you. High quality and low prices makes this a must see booth. There are also displays of outdoor furniture for you to take a break on to rest your tired feet and two booths feature massage chairs for a free ten minute body and back massage. The I-X Center abounds with all kinds of food choices with plenty of seating area to relax and enjoy.

It is not hard to come up with five solid reasons to attend the show. Top on the list is One-Stop-Shopping with over 400 booths to visit. Reason #2 is the Show Deals as many of the exhibitors have “show deals” on their products and services. Reason #3 is Quality Products and Services where you can talk to experts to solve pressing problems. Reason #4 is to get inspiration and fresh ideas to spruce up your home and yard. Lastly, reason #5 and probably the most important reason of all is that the show has something fun for everyone.

Admission prices at the door are $15 for Adults, $11 for Seniors, $10 for Groups (20 or more) and $5 for Children ages 6 to 12 years. Children under 5 are free. Use promo code “GUIDE” when ordering online at https://www.greatbighomeandgarden.com/. Discount tickets are also available at Petitti Garden Centers. Hours are: Sunday, February 5th 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday February 6th-9th 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday February 10th and 11th 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday February 12th 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.