I would do something now. Leaves, compost, kitchen scraps (no meat or greasy foods), grass clippings and manure of some kind. Cut up branches for drainage and water retention. IMO.We tried a hugel for the first time and the flowers and veggies grew like crazy. We still need to get a soil test. Hubby is soooo stubborn!

Till in lots of compost and some bone meal now. And then I'd do the same in the spring a couple weeks before planting, but also add some feather, alfalfa or cottonseed meal (N) along with some kelp meal(K and other micronutes.

That's what I would do.

Kevin

Any additives you till in now will help and can't hurt IF your soil readings are accurate.

Compost, if it is good quality, especially beneficial. High N supplements will likely evaporate before spring so I'd wait to add them in the spring. Bone meal takes approximately 6 months to become effective so now is the time to add it.

However do keep in mind that these do-it-yourself test kits are notorious for being inaccurate and misleading. So if that is what you used when you say "you just did it" most will recommend you have a real soil test done (county extension office $15) before getting too carried away with additives or you can make thinks worse.

The home test kits routinely read a pH of 6.5-7.0 and low in N and phos. But in reality low phos soil is very, very rare.

Dave

wow thanks for all the answers! yes it was a kit I bought at lowes....partner also refuses to pay for a real test so I got that one. all summer we put our vegetable waste and coffee grounds into the soil but I don't think that is enough to really make a difference. the bone meal...is that something you can get a lowes? where does one get the "real" soil tests done? maybe next spring I'll just go do it one day.....

Now is a good time to take your borings and send them in, since now is a good time to add some of the ammendments mentioned. My county extension office offers soil tests for free, but I really like the UMASS testing laboratory as it gives more info about the soil (like mineral levels) They charge $10.00.

Here is a link that might be useful: umass soil testing

As I said above, contact your local county ag extension office - every state has them - for soil tests. The costs differ slightly state to state, here it is $15 for a full profile and $10 for just pH and basic NPK.

Bone meal is sold most anywhere that garden supplies are sold but it is only one of many sources of phos available.

Dave