This is WSU's link on raised beds: http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/FS075E/FS075E.pdf

I will second the comment that you need some real loam, and then get a soil test.

If it really was blossom end rot, and from the one pic I see I am not convinced, then you should take a moment to read the link I will post below.

The plants themselves look healthy so I would just go ahead and use maybe a half inch of composted manure and mix it in. Your bed was newly made and the biological activity may not have been in full swing last year. Organic matter continually breaks down and needs replenished but since you started out with so much last year you don't need much. There is no doubt that a mineral based soil is good for a bed so if you can find a good quality soil add several inches of it.

Peat moss has little use in the garden. It's acidic and has no nutrient value. It may add some bulk and some fluffiness but it's not needed at all.

Rodney

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/blossom_end_rot_causes_and_cures_in_garden_vegetables

I bought a raised garden bed and would like to cover it to protect young seedlings and prevent squirrels from digging in the soil. Did you purchase or make a cover and if so, what is it? If anyone has ideas I would appreciate it. Thanks.

When I plant my sugar snap peas (in a different bed with a trellis) I usually stick twigs in the ground around where the seeds are planted because the wild bunnies chomp off anything I try to grow from seed, this tiny little barrier keeps the bunnies from having access. I haven’t had squirrels dig in my veggie bed until fall when they are hiding stuff for winter. The fluffy jerks steal tomatoes like crazy, and leave them half eaten all over my yard, but they have never dug up seedlings on me!

Thank you Claire I will try that. If anyone has ideas for a cover I would be interested. Thanks.

I dont know what you mean by a cover since the plants will be in the bed and they can’t be covered.

I would put a 4’ tall removable wire fence around it and on the fence posts, place Mylar pinwheels. The irregular movement and flashes are really helpful in discouraging unwanted digging or visitors, and the combo of fence and movement should send the squirrels elsewhere.

Other deterrents include sprinkling the soil surface with cayenne pepper flakes and a whole bunch of little plastic forks set upright in the soil until the plants are large enough to not be dug up, rather like Claire’s little sticks but much tackier.😏

You don’t need to make the garden critter proof IME, just more of a hassle than other places.

Thanks so much. I like the idea of making it more of a hassle for the critters. I was thinking of netting or something like that. I tried to plant potatoes last year and the squirrels dug up all the seed potatoes.

Until the potatoes sprout, just lay a sheet of chicken wire or welded wire fencing across the top with a few rocks to weigh it down. Then you can use that for part of your fence once they sprout.

Thank you so much for your help. Take care.

I got the Mylar pinwheels idea from another gardener here. My local dollar store has them at this time of year and they usually last two seasons. I have found they work well to discourage deer and groundhogs in the veggies, and they keep the birds from perching on my tomato cages and pooping on the tomatoes. I give the birds alternative perches because I like having them out there eating bugs, but I prefer to harvest clean tomatoes.

Thanks, babs, for the idea about the mylar pinwheels!! I am going to try those by my sweet pea vines, as the deer like to nip off all the new flowers! And the vines grow taller than the protection I have around them.

And the only reason to grow sweet peas is to pick the wonderfully scented flowers for a colorful bouquet, which the deer are determined I should not do.