Fertilizer for new raised beds

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by b54red

I too think your ground could benefit from more organic matter and peat is relatively easy to add and it helps hold water; but this fall I would also add at least one bag of pine bark fines and if you can find and old bag that has started to rot that is even better. If you can find a local feed store that has cottonseed meal in the 50 lb bag adding 5 to 10 lbs in when you add the peat and pine bark will encourage earthworms and then prior to planting each season add some more a week or two before planting. It not only attracts earthworms the cottonseed meal is a great slow release fertilizer. I add it before planting in the spring fall and winter and till it into the top 4 or 5 inches of soil and water it well. I use the Urban Farm fertilizers to maintain good growth and production every week to ten days with most vegetables.

Bill

Bill, for garden I add pine bark mulch, either from WM or Lowes.
Cost is $3 per 2 cu-ft bag.If there are some sap wood in it try to get them out. I screen through 1/2" mesh to get rid of those and chunky pine barks. You can use that for mulching. With my sandy soil I find it a good amendment to improve moisture retention. With clay soil it can improve drainage. So it is a balancer.
I also make soil less potting mix with screened stuff, peat moss and floor dry.
about 3-2-1 ratio. I like floor dry better than perlite.