We have been told that plants live off the decaying leaves and plant material that gets worked into the ground. True but not entirely true.
Plants have overcome a big problem. Since they don't gave a stomach, they need dissolved nutrients in the water they take in to grow and survive. This they find in the ground. That sounds like a simple solution but it is a litte complicated.
While the decaying plant matter in the ground does release dissolved nutrients, another source is not that obvious. In the soil there are lots and lots of living creatures. Some of them are so small, you need a couple of extra lenses to see them. Some are big enough to dig up and use for bait when you go fishing. There are good and bad, hunters and vegetarians, all kinds of creatures.
The point is.
There creatures eat whatever their personal preference may be, digest and then expel the liquid and semi liquid waste. The soil is actually a giant plant food factory.
These creatures eventually die making space for the next generation and most of their bodies dissolves into the moisture of the ground to become part of this food factory.
This is how plants survive.
Chemicals and poisons destroy this food factory. Even the chemicals used as plant food can destroy the biological balance by killing off some of these small creatures.
We can unintentionally shut down the plant food factory nature created.
That we'll intended snail bait patch you put out may have consequences you will never recognize.
I appreciate your support.
Live life to the fullest.