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If spring ever gets here — and we assume it will, eventually — one of the best treats of the season will be the Historic Garden Week tour presented by the Nansemond River Garden Club, Franklin Garden Club and Elizabeth River Garden Club.

If you’re looking to make a day trip, consider attending the tour of five beautiful homes and gardens in Eclipse and Carrollton. The shuttle tour runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. Other activities will include an oyster-shucking demonstration, learning about the Water Wise Home program, a display of customs, regalia and artifacts from the Nansemond Indian Tribe, lunch and more.

Eclipse is a unique community in Suffolk with many varied and beautiful homes and gardens and a special feel that you can’t get anywhere else. Visitors on this tour will be privileged to delve into part of that for a day.

“It’s the history of the place,” Sandy Canada, a co-chair of the event. “We want to share the history and diversity. It doesn’t look like any subdivision, and the homes are quite varied.”

Tourgoers will be able to see some of the most beautiful gardens in the area, along with the homes and other attractions, on what we can hope will be a beautiful spring day. That will be the ultimate kickoff to spring — only a month late.

In addition to the enjoyable day, ticket-holders will know that their ticket purchase will help fund the restoration and preservation of historic gardens across Virginia.

We encourage everyone to make the Historic Garden Week tour part of their spring traditions.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at vagardenweek.org. They will be $35 the day of the tour, which will start at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 1589 Steeple Drive.