38 May 1, 2014 2014 SPRING HOME AND GARDEN “OUT OF THE ORDINARY” LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM
Ways to learn more about
herbs include taking classes
or reading books, but Buckles
maintains that the best way
is to grow them. “I could
see teaching from my herb
garden,” she said, “It is
different every day. You
have to work with plants to
understand them.”
For many years, Buckles
operated a business called
Prairie Home Herbs out of her
herb garden. She collected the
abundant variety of her garden
and shared it at local farmers
markets. She has also taught
classes and given presentations
aimed at educating the public
about herbs.
Historically, thyme, rosemary,
tarragon and basil have been
used medicinally and as
additives to food. Tea tree and
lavender have been used as
antiseptics. A bit of lavender in
a spray bottle filled with white
vinegar is a very effective
counter disinfectant as well
as a wash for vegetables. It
does not have the unpleasant
odor of chlorine products
and is safer. Vinegar can be
infused with fresh herbs to
provide a wonderful cooking
supplement.
Buckles was very emphatic
that the proper amount of herbs
be carefully studied, especially
if using herbs that have been
reduced to a tiny bottle of their
essential oils. Essential oil is
highly concentrated and can be
harmful if too much is used.
Cosmetics should contain
only the essential oils. Herbs
can be used for face rubs and
soap. “Some herbs are only
appropriate for external use,”
she said.
Collecting wild herbs is
problematic, and she cautioned
that the environment around
the wild herbs must be well
understood. “Never collect
herbs from roadside ditches,”
she said. They can contain
agricultural chemicals if
collected in the wrong areas,
even in seemingly clean
woods.
One unique product that
Buckles came up with is
blending culinary herbs with
sea salt. She often had this
blending available at her
farmers market stand. When
her son-in-law was serving on
a submarine years ago, it had
rudimentary cooking facilities
and bland Navy food. She
mixed and sent 16 pounds of
her herb and sea salt blends to
the ship to help make the food
more flavorful. It was a big hit.
The list of useful herbs is huge,
and it takes some serious study
to understand them.Just a few
grown in the home garden can
enhance our lives. Then try a
few more and muck about in
the garden to learn about them.
Mary Buckles is an
enthusiastic advocate for
gardening and herbs. She
firmly believes that gardening
empowers a person, especially
kids. When kids, and adults,
see a plant sprout from a seed
they planted and nurtured, and
then get to eat the results…
well, what could be better!
Playing in the dirt and growing
your own food is a prime
example of her gardening
ethos. Mary Buckles practices
what she preaches!
