Overlooking the magnificent Killbuck Valley, Quailcrest Farm has emerged from a century-old dairy farm to a family nursery with a modern approach.

The Bruch family has owned Quailcrest Farm since 1957, and the business itself has been in existence for 32 years. Things have evolved over the years, but they have always maintained their core of quality products.

The Garden Barn houses a 12,400-square-foot greenhouse where they specialize in perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, old-fashioned roses and herbs (an extensive selection of herbs, to be sure). The Quailcrest staff believe they grow the best-quality plants and the largest variety of them in the area. And they will even help you plan your garden. Just bring in some pictures of your garden area, and they'll work with you.

The gift shop is also located in the Garden Barn, where a large selection of garden adornments and housewares are displayed among antique cupboards and tables.

The 30 acres of grounds and gardens at Quailcrest are exquisite and compare to none others in the area. About 25 different garden settings are scattered among the grounds. These settings display mature plantings which illustrate how your garden may look a few years from now when your new plants have grown.

The grounds and gardens at Quailcrest have seen many beautiful outdoor weddings. What a great venue for that special day! The grounds are also available for group picnics and events. Actually, you're more than welcome to bring a picnic anytime, plop down on a blanket and spend some time enjoying the scenery before or after shopping!

The Tracy Barn, another structure at Quailcrest, has a rich history. This 1840 barn was originally a horse barn in downtown Orrville, about 15 miles to the east. It was then moved to the Walter Tracy homestead south of Orrville near US 30 where it remained for many years. In 2000, the 2,500-square-foot barn was dismantled and moved once again, this time to Quailcrest. It housed the gift shop for awhile, but has now been transformed into an event center, ready for wedding receptions, showers, meetings and other occasions. The center will seat up to 160 people at round tables.

The 150-year-old brick Old Schoolhouse from Golden Corners (at the intersection of Ohio 83 and 604) is also on the property. After its use as a schoolhouse, it was a smoke house. It looks beautiful among the gardens.

New at Quailcrest is The Potting Shed. This means "no mess, no fuss and no hassle" for you. Sounds good, huh? You pay for the plants, accessories and dirt; you do the potting; you leave the mess for them to clean up! How much simpler can it get? Well, if you prefer, you can bring in your empty containers and they'll do the potting. Talk about convenient! According to the staff, container gardening has really become popular in the past several years. It is the answer for those with limited space and those who have a hard time gardening a large area.

Many events occur at Quailcrest that are definitely worth attending. For instance, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Quailcrest serves lunch in the 130-year-old farmhouse. A delightful fare of soup and bread are served near the fireplace ... a wonderful treat as the snow flies! Reservations are required, however.

The annual Spring Garden Fair will be June 9 and 10 this year (2007), from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This is a garden-oriented craft fair with food and music. More than 2,000 visitors usually attend the fair.

In the fall, Quailcrest's 27th annual Herb Fair will be held on September 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be approximately 75 craft exhibitors selling gourds, baskets, rugs, jewelry and much, much more. Once again, there will be food and music, too.

Two more upcoming events are the Quailcrest Family of Friends Dog Walk on September 15, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and the Christmas Open House on November 10 and 11. Be sure to mark your calendars.

Workshops are held on site throughout the year. Several upcoming ones include "Let's Get Potted on a Saturday Morning," May 12 and 19, at 9:30 a.m. (bring your pot to plant); the "Herb Talk and Walk" with Libby Bruch, on June 15 at 1:30 p.m.; and "Fresh Herb Wreath," June 19 at 10:30 a.m. Reservations are needed for all workshops and they must be prepaid. Check the Web site (below) for dates and times of more workshops.

A visit to Quailcrest is a must. Although every season has its fascination, spring -- the time of planting -- is the best. So get your green thumb ready to go, take advantage of all Quailcrest has to offer and get planting!

Quailcrest Farm -- 2810 Armstrong Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 (turn W off SR 83, a few miles N of Wooster), (330) 345-6722, http://www.quailcrest.com; extended spring planting hours: Mon.-Fri., 9-6; Sat., 9-5; Sun., noon-5; after June 10, hours are Tue.-Sat., 9-5.