where you put your roots...

is apparently really important. Roots of your plants that is.

Who knew that plants could be so darn picky? They only need water, sunshine, and dirt. But boy they can certainly be finicky. Too much or too little water, they die. Too sandy or to much nutrients in the soil, they die. And again, too much or too little sunshine, they die. Are we seeing a trend here?

Thank goodness my patient and understanding husband keeps letting me buy more when I kill one. or four.

Sad. Its quite sad.

Just a fun fact, DO NOT use pure manure to use as your soil. It fries the root system just like pure acid would. It creates the same effect in the above picture. Or so I now know.

p.s. those were beautiful, wonderful smelling thyme plants I bought from a nursery that were dead in three days. Bam. Dead. Not even a little inckling of a chance to survive against the manure.

Lesson learned: if you're going to spend money on pretty plants, splurge and get the good soil. Like the $10 a bag moisture sensitive kind. That way you're plants will actually have a leg up and grow bigger faster. Does this sound like an ad for Scott's Miracle grow soil? Maybe. I've certainly become a believer in good soil.

Ultimately you shouldn't put in just any kind of dirt that is easily accessible. So basically, dirt is not just dirt. And it has all reminded me of the super important fact that when you want something done well, you shouldn't cut corners. If you want something to look good, you need to put in the extra effort.

This is something to remember in all aspects of life. And live by. 

Happy Monday!

-Melissa

p.p.s. please pray for my new lavender plants. Let's hope they don't die soon.