Inside the Garden Centre That’s Been Growing with North Bay for 75 Years

For over 75 years, Laporte’s Nursery & Greenhouses has helped North Bay grow — quite literally. In this episode, we sit down with Lori Laporte, third-generation owner, to talk about how her grandmother’s backyard garden turned into a local institution.

Lori shares the joys and challenges of running a seasonal business, why Ontario-grown plants matter, the truth about "low-maintenance gardening," and what it’s like working with her daughters, seven days a week, every spring.

Check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/laportesnursery 

00:00 – Intro
01:30 – Meet Lori Laporte: Third-Generation Garden Boss
04:00 – How Laporte’s Began in a Backyard in Nipissing Junction
07:30 – From Veggies in Newspaper to 15ft Shade Trees
10:45 – Why Lori Doesn’t Call Herself a Green Thumb
13:00 – What Outdoor Plants Work Best in North Bay
15:30 – The Instant Gratification Generation & Gardening
18:00 – Lori’s Shift Toward Décor, Big Trees & Canadian-Made Furniture
22:00 – Indoor Plants at Laporte’s?
25:00 – The Laporte’s Cat, Seasonal Hustle & What’s in Bloom Right Now
28:30 – Proven Winners: What That Means & Why It Matters
32:00 – Outro