[aimeruni]

Basically I am wondering what the best way to fertilize them is.

When I say heavy feeders I'm referring to corn, cukes, zukes, winter squash, and melons.

The soilless mix I use is listed below (I make it in large batches, each large batch makes 30 gallons per batch).

2-3 cubic feet pine bark mulch
5 gallons spaghnum peat moss
5 gallons perlite
2 cups fertilizer (designed for container gardening....like Osmocote)

I was considering using a combination of compost and slow release fertilizer since they are heavy feeders.

Since I would be using both compost and a slow release container fertilizer (like Osmocote) should I reduce the amount of the container fertilizer by cutting it in half?

If I kept it at 2 cups (with the slow release fertilizer, i.e. Osmocote) per 30 gallon batch and used it in combination with the compost, would I be using too much fertilizer or would it be okay?

The amount of compost I would be using would be small 5-7 gallons per 30 gallon batch.