Soil Question ???

I have normally used Miracle Grow soil with no problems but recently I bought some from two different stores and both bags are barky as hell I have never seen it so barky. Every plant I try to grow dies in like two weeks the ph of soil is 6.8 so I don't know what the hell. Anyways I just bought Fox Farms Ocean Forest Potting Soil never used in my life haven't planted in it yet just wondering if anybody has ever used this potting soil and if so what was the results? How soon did u have to fertilize ? any advice is appreciated. Thanks