According to the original writeup 1 tsp per gallon is what Tapla was recommending with no slow release. So I'm .5 tsp over. Doubting that's enough to cause what's going on but I'll scale back a little.

Claymason, I too doubt that the problem is too much fertilizer. I am curious about the pine bark. Isn't it shredded in which case it would not be suitable for 5:1:1 and would retain too much water? Also, it contains some sort of colorant, which is the second reason I did not buy it.

It seems partially shredded, partially not. Definitely not super high quality stuff but the size was right so it seemed like my best option of what was available at the few stores I checked around here. When I've probed the soil the water retention doesn't seem too bad, but it does hold a little. Though in LA when we have full sun every single day I'm not sure that's such a bad thing. The yellowing looks like a nutrient deficiency not an overwatering though, right?

I agree that you need a more water retentive mix than do I. I suspect the problem is nitrogen deficiency probably cause by the bark mix not being composted enough. The microbes that breakdown the uncomposted bark use nitrogen, thus depriving the plant of nitrogen. I use 1 1/2 tsp of FP/gal every other watering for my citrus, which are heavy feeders. I don't know about your plants' fertilizer requirements.

It definitely looks like nitrogen deficiency. Feed with some liquid fertilizer like Miracle Grow or Dynagro and let us know the results. You're in LA and these veggies like water so it can't be overwatering.

Z