Yes, it seems to be a lifeless older raised bed that has hay mulch. I don't smell sweet dirt in it at all. Can it be so lifeless that adding BSM will not help?
The only time I remember it being a great bed was the very first time I used it. (about 5 years ago) It was full of earthworms but it did have a few pests as I recall, so it must have had too much nitrogen.
So the answer is yes, to watering with diluted BSM everytime?
Also, when we let our beds rest for a year, do we take the mulch off the top?