WOOSTER, Ohio — Those looking for ideas to update landscaping, looking for a rare or unusual plants or just plain want to enjoy the outdoors, then Secrest Arboretum’s Plant and Art Sale is the place to be, according to Ken Cochran, curator for the arboretum.

This year’s Plant Discovery Day is Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in and around OARDC Fisher Auditorium and Secrest Arboretum at the Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, Ohio.

Cochran said the plant sale, now in its 13th year, includes not only plants sold by the Friends of Secrest Arboretum, but plants from specialty plant vendors, too. Plants include herbs, herbaceous annuals and perennials, woody trees and shrubs and container gardens. Great gift ideas for Mother’s Day, said Cochran. All vendors contribute a portion of sales receipts to support Secrest Arboretum.

The art sale is in its second year and features pottery, dyed textiles, glass sculpture, wood burning, jewelry, stained glass, photography, watercolor painting, yard art and metal works.

A highlight of the day is always the auctions, Cochran explained. The Silent Plant and Art Auction will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while the Oral Plant and Art Auction will run from 11 a.m. to noon. For a complete listing of plant sale and auction items, visit www.secrest.osu.edu

Cochran will also lead a series of guided walks at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Arboretum, featuring the new Landscape Discovery Grounds and various plants growing in the Arboretum.

Each guided walk will last about one hour. Visitors should park in the Arboretum and meet at the open-air Visitors Pavilion off Williams Road.

For more details, call 330-263-3761.

Cochran said, due to road construction, on U.S. Route 30 in Wooster, the entrance and exit ramps at Madison Avenue are closed. Drivers should follow the overhead highway signs to State Route 83 South and U.S. 250. Motorists should exit at State Road 83 South/U.S. 250 West; turn signs will direct visitors to OARDC, driving one mile north turn in at the OARDC time and temperature sign, past the traffic light at State Road 83 South.

This farm news was published in the May 3, 2006 issue of Farm World.