Just add compost. If you keep it heavily mulched, you shouldn't have to keep adding every season, it will make its own compost. Does the soil feel too heavy? If it's soggy and hard to dig, mix in more mulch and maybe some sand. If not, it should be okay.

It's natural for the level to go down as the compost ages IMO. To top it up I'd add pine bark fines which will lighten and improve the soil or Jungle Growth potting mix which is light.

I have a differing opinion about adding sand. Nematodes live in sand and will get imported to your virgin mix if you add it. There go the tomatoes, peppers, etc.

Totally agree with the mulch becoming compost over time.

I would go with the pine fines. I grow some things in just that and they do very well, but like all mulches it breaks down over time. The fines will help balance out the top soil you used, which I think can become compacted and heavy.

I also prefer Jungle Growth potting mix of all the packaged mixes, primarily because it contains a good portion of pine fines.

Kate

Great! I've got a neighbor who has pine needles all over the place. I'm sure they wouldn't mind the help getting some of those out of the way!
Glad to hear I hadn't done in the soil entirely. Thanks, everyone!

Jane

Pine fines are well composted, small pine bark chips. The pine needles will be good as a mulch but aren't the same as fines.

Ohhh, Good to know! Thanks, solstice!
Jane

Don't feel bad. I called them "those tiny bark bits" for a long time until I learned on this forum that they actually have a name! Once you start using them you'll be hooked, but they aren't always easy to find.

Where do you find them?

ah, now THAT is the question...

Lucky people in central FL say they have found theirs at WalMart where it is called "soil conditioner". Alas here on the west coast our WalMarts have never had it or heard of it.

I travel 45 min. to Troy's Tropics in Sarasota at $5/bag, twice what other people have said they paid.Would love to get it cheaper and closer.

Wal-Mart used to carry them here but I have not found any in a season at least . Staff at all the big box stores now look at me like I'm nuts when I ask for pine fines mulch or composted pine bark .

They do not understand why I will not purchase the dyed red stuff . Duh !

Once a year I buy mine from a mulch company. They deliver a yard of the nicest fines you can imagine. If you are in Central Florida, try the Bolling Forest mulch guys. If you are outside the area maybe they could tell you who does the same type of work closer to you.