Garden Life

I live in North Carolina where the soil leaves a bit to be desired, but I’d like to start a vegetable garden. I have a nice sized backyard to do it in and we’ve grown vegetables before, but only tomatoes and some sunflowers. I want to do something on a larger scale.
Tips please?
I have no idea where to start in planning this thing.
Thank you.

What do you do with a compost pile?

I currently have parsley, lavender, and basil. I plan to get strawberries, tomatoes and a "window sill salsa garden" (All my plants are from Buzzy Seeds so far).

First, what window should I put them in, and how do I know what is north, south, east,west?? It’s cold out, and getting colder, is putting them by the window a bad idea? Should I buy a special lamp, how much are they? I really want to grow things. lol can you tell?