To make potting soil, mix two parts compost mixed with 2 parts soil and one part vermiculite or perlite. Some people use it as seed starter, although this isn't necessary. Seeds don't need nutrients when first sprouting. After they get their first set of true leaves (not the first two leaves, or the cotyledons, but the next two), they'll require nutrients contained in soil.

2torial #0847: Learn2 Make a Compost Pile (continued) Find a good spot If you live in a cold climate, you may want to locate your pile in a sunny place.Any heat the pile can get during a cold winter is a help, even though the pile may dry out a little. The opposite is true with a hot climate: the pile will require shade to keep it moist longer. If you're in a middling sort of climate (not really either hot nor cold), sun exposure isn't much of a factor--but monitor the location with an eye toward any unplanned moisture retention. Sometimes that great spot turns out to be underneath the rain gutter outflow, or right under the watershed of a roof. You may need to move the site a few times before you get it right. How large a space do you need to stake out? For estimating compost production, here's a rule of thumb: If you want to produce at least one cubic yard of compost, you will need 10 cubic yards of raw material. If you only want to compost a few kitchen scraps, talk to your neighbors; you may be able to donate your scraps to another's compost pile that needs more materials. Neighbors should also be taken into consideration when locating your pile: for some reason, not everyone seems to think that heaps of rotting waste are a noble addition to the neighborhood. A well-planned and maintained compost setup need not be odiferous, but you should be sensitive to prevalent breezes and obvious insect congregation patterns. You may find it prudent to let your neighbors know what you're up to, before they draw the wrong conclusions. Heck, why not invite them to join in?   Step 3