How do I nourish the big flower bed if not using fertilizer?

[Anonymous]

We have a decent size part shade flower bed that has azaleas, tulips, cone flowers, rhododendrons, ferns and some hostas. It is a slope down to the street drain.

We haven’t done anything to really nourish this spot and I think all plants and flowers are diminishing. How can I feed this soil w/o using chemicals?

[Anonymous]

Sprinkle compost on top this fall?

[Anonymous]

Why wouldn’t you use fertilizer? As long as you’re adding the correct amounts it’s not harmful. You can send soil samples to the county extension service and they will test it so you can figure out what might be needed.
Adding organic matter in the form of manure, compost, shredded leaves and mulching on a continual basis will improve the soil.

[Anonymous]

Add compost or leaf grow.