“Find it in the woods or pick it up at Publix…” was advice from Ken Hodges of Deer Run Farm as he created several spring floral designs during the March Ladies at the Landing meeting.  His materials included natural items that may be gathered from personal gardens and landscapes as well as fruits, vegetables and flowers available in grocery stores. Garden items used were cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, pomegranates, lemons, limes and any variety of flowers.

As he worked, he gave useful floral design tips:

• Place wet oasis in a container and criss-cross floral tape across the top of the vase.
• Change water every two to three days and mist daily.
• Replace flowers as they wilt; the greenery will last longer.
• Put a capful of Clorox in vase water to keep it clear.
• Arrange the heights of floral stems by threes – shortest to tallest. with a final stem as the tallest.
• Mix silk and fresh flowers.
• Use a glue gun to secure the items and a glue pan with glue pellets for dipping stems.
• Soak daffodils for a day before using in an arrangement or the daffodils will kill the other flowers.

In 1997, Mr. Hodges opened Deer Run Farm, a combination floral and gift shop in Harmony Crossing.

The hostesses for the meeting were Terry Goldman and Sharon Russo. Door prizes included the wreath created by Mr. Hodges won by Angela Mauldin, a Deer Run Farm gift certificate won by Cindy Donoho, and Easter salt and pepper shakers won by Vivian Ferland. Susan Arnold came closest in the “Guess the Number of Eggs” contest and won a decorative glass container of 300+ Easter eggs. The 50/50 raffle benefitting the Oconee Regional Humane Society amounting to $134 was split with Laura Heebner.

The April LATL meeting is scheduled for April 5 with hostesses Joyce Parr and Cindy Helms. The presenters will be Karen Allen and Holly Wright from Twice Envy’d and Jennifer Hudgins from Jen’s Gifts.