Successful composting involves balancing nitrogen and carbon-based materials (brown leaves and woody materials and green grass or food waste) with water and oxygen.
Carbon
The carbon component (the brown stuff: dead leaves, woody materials and dried brown grass) should constitute 75% of the compost pile.
Nitrogen
The remaining 25% should be the nitrogen-rich component (the green stuff: fresh grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps).
Water
The organisms that make compost require a warm, moist environment. The pile should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge, but not dripping wet. Let rain replace moisture, and add water during dry spells. A cover helps retain moisture in hot weather.
Oxygen
Compost critters need oxygen, just as we do. Lack of oxygen will slow down the composting process and cause odors.