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This is a handful of a soil I built for my raised beds. It is 5 years old in the photo. It's a mix of pine bark, sphagnum peat, Turface, and sand. You could easily build a similar soil. It is full of soil creatures & is a very rich and productive soil.

If you use only compost, you'll get lots of soil shrinkage. I would use compost and pine bark in equal amounts to make up 2/3 of the soil. For the remaining 1/3, I would use equal amounts of peat and a mineral component. Turface, lava rock, or Haydite would be an excellent choice to go with the peat.

You'll need lots of N and a source of micro-nutrients for the first year. I've had to use no fertilizer supplements at all from the second year on, and plant growth in this soil is even better than in the soil in my gardens.

Al

Hi CHRISTY319 about your compost you didnt say what it is made of or how old it is, if it is rotted so it looks like soil it is ok but if it is still in the form it was before composting put it in and let it rot a little longer but go on plant in it and see what luck you have it may be good luck.

Thanks.
The compost is a locally well known brand (Cedar Grove)-I bought a truckload from a nursery.