Leave winter behind and embrace the spring with free tours of three iris venues in the Loomis area; High Hand Nursery, Horton’s Iris Garden and Yarda’s Ditch Water Iris Farm. The fabulous Loomis Basin Iris Tour and Festival is April 23-25, 2010. Entries are being accepted for the Iris Contest, rules can be downloaded at High Hand or can be picked up in person at High Hand Nursery at 3750 Taylor Road, Downtown Loomis. Start at High Hand Nursery to pick up your map and grab a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by the High Hand Café. Stroll through High Hand Nursery and purchase irises in bloom, or order specialty irises from Horton’s or Yarda’s. Check out the iris judging at High Hand Nursery,

Please join High Hand Nursery, Horton's Iris Farm and Yarda's Ditch Water Iris Farm Saturday, April 18th 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 19th 10am-4pm for our Loomis Iris Tour. Each venue will be a place to stroll and see exceptional blooming iris's. More importantly, each plant will be for sale during the Iris Tour. For more information please go online to HIGH HAND or call (916) 660-0128.   Michele Parry is an employee of High Hand.