34 May 1, 2014 2014 SPRING HOME AND GARDEN “OUT OF THE ORDINARY” LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM
not have to bend over during
planting. It was like heaven to
me, being able to play in the dirt
and grow things.”
She also credits her father with
instilling in her a love of the
land. “Dad gave me a wonderful
gift,” she said, “when he taught
me about plants, water and the
environment, and how to take
care of the crops.”
This love of gardening led to a
lifelong fascination with herbs
and how they can affect our
lives.
In one way or another, Buckles
has always been associated with
growing things. As a kid, she
helped on the farm and was a
4-H member. In college, she
grew herbs in pots in her room
and shared them with her fellow
students. She has also helped
plant the majority of the trees in
the state forest in Mason County.
When she met and married
her husband, Kenneth, her
life’s journey was set. Kenneth
wanted to be a farmer himself,
and they finally settled near
Mount Pulaski to become a farm
family, eventually raising three
daughters. The couple’s busy
lives revolved around farming,
parenting and Mary’s job as a
teacher.
One day her husband asked if
she would consider quitting her
job and become the hired hand
on the farm. After all, he pointed
out, his current hired hand made
more than she did as a teacher.
Mary Buckles jumped at the
chance. Now she could indulge
in her passion for gardening and
especially learn more about her
ultimate passion for herbs.
Buckles points out that people
sometimes mistakenly equate
herbs with spices. That could not
be further from the truth.
“Herbs are soft, leafy plants
that have always existed in
our country,” she said. “The
American Indians knew
about them and evolved a
sophisticated knowledge about
their uses. They shared this
knowledge with the growing
population that was immigrating
to America.”
Continued on page 36
