The soil here is thin, and under it is solid limestone-the properties on this road have more dirt than most because of it washing in on the way to the river-but it is not rich soil-I usually add composted mulch, or even some purchased additive-this is the first year I’ve thought to add washed-in silt and muck from the river.
It is about the time critter raids here begin, too-I have a fence to keep out deer, but I’ve got to dig out the bird and raccoon netting to hang over the tomatoes and peppers-they like to bite into those, and the raccoons will strip all the ripe ones off...
I’d be bagging all that river muck I could get if I were you.
I think limestone subsoil would be preferable to the adobe I’ve got. But I can ameliorate it all the same. I’ve been thinking about trying a clover cover crop. Or maybe buckwheat. My neighbors will wonder what the hell I’m up to now... although actually they all admire and are entertained by my gardening adventures.
I’m in a suburban area... no deer nearby but there are raccoons and coyotes and rats. I’m guessing raccoons are the thieves even though I never see them.