As bi11me stated the algae and pond weeds would be a good addition while only enough of the water from the pond to slightly moisten the rest of the material would be of help. Too much water dispaces the air the bacteria that digest the high carbon material need to work. They also need Nitrogen (protein) to function, but only just enough of that also, 30 parts Carbon to 1 part Nitrogen, or close to that. This composting tutorial may be of some help. The leaves could be 40 to 80 parts C to 1 part N and the wood chips could be 400 to 600 to 1. Here is a link that might be useful: Composting Tutorial

As an example, here is what I put into a batch in a tumbler that holds about a cubic yard. Two, large, stuffed bags of shredded leaves. These are pretty dense and heavy. To this I will add about two half full bags of freshly cut grass clippings (I look for bags of short clippings). The reason I use half full is because if these bags were filled, I couldn't lift them. So it turns out to be about two to one ratio. Some more material (mixed leaves and grass clippings) is added after a few days due to settling. If I use whole leaves, I use a three or four to one ratio but end up adding a lot more of the mix after several days due to increased settling. Now these leaves are incredibly dry so adding moisture is usually necessary. I add the water after I have mixed, this seems to alleviate the clumping of the grass clippings a lot. How much water depends on the dryness of the leaves and moisture content of the grass. In any event, I don't measure the water, I just use a garden hose on mist setting and go by gut feeling. Sometimes it takes a few days of adding small amounts of water to get an even distribution throughout. Turning. In the tumbler it is easy so I usually give numerous rotations once a day once the temperature is above 150ish. If it's a pile, definately not so often, maybe once a week if I am energetic so it usually goes longer. Soil. I don't intentionally add soil to any of my composting methods. If I am using a continuous add method in a tumbler, I tumble a few times, add the greens, add equal volume of shredded leaves, tumble a few more times then add another equal volume of shredded leaves on top. This mixes nicely and the thin layer of leaves on top helps to prevent any odors. If the greens are relatively dry, I add a small shot of water when I add the greens. By the next day the leaves on top are usually moist, they seem to absorb the moisture given off and any condensation drips down onto them as well. I don't use kitchen scraps in a pile due to possible rodent issues but I'd probably use much the same ratio except add additional water due to evaporation from the pile. Once a person has done it a few times they quickly get the hang of it. It is tough to make a major mistake as there is always ways to correct as you go along. Having said all that, we could probably get ten compost enthusiasts together and we could have ten different methods that are successful. Lloyd

lilacs of may - I agree w/the "need more greens" opinions above (which is not to say that I disagree w/the "need more water" opinions - I just don't have an opinion about the water thing b/c my bin is in a container & I tend to have too much moisture more often than not). The way you described it - 1 thin green, 1 thick brown of mostly leaves - seems like it would take a real long time to decompose. I've noticed leaves in my bin take a long time, which I didn't expect. But, my bin takes a short time to decompose when I've used mostly garden/kitchen waste, intense greens (such as UCG/dried blood/alfalfa), and some browns such as (leaves/paper towels/napkins/shredded moistened cardboard) - IF I turn it ALOT (again it's in a bin so this might not be as crucial to your formula). Plus, I also find that we each have a preferred "formula" for our individual systems, lifestyles & area of the country. I've added below a link to my list of 201 Compost Ingredients, if you want to brainstorm about more "greens." BTW, we just got our first Starbucks (10 min away) - prior to that the nearest starbucks was 1 hour away & that was just in a bookstore. I am already collecting from a local coffee shop (actually, they were new about 2 yrs ago - pre-local-Starbucks - and I told them about Starbucks' habit of bagging & offering UCG for peoples' gardens & so now they're doing it! yippee!). And, actually, most of the UCG I gather go directly onto soil (under the store-bought pine/other bark/shredded mulch) or onto the grass. So, do it again this year & keep experimenting to see what works! polly in IL - that is BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for the pix! All the Best, Tree Here is a link that might be useful: 201 Compost ingredients

Thanks, everyone! Barb, I've collected numerous bags from Starbuck's so far but they don't save it regularly... they throw it all away!!! What a travesty! I did a little research and dbm2009 is right that adding already composted material will provide more of the micro-organisms that break stuff down. tiffy_z5_6_can, I'm in Atlanta... Unfortunately, I'm about four hours to the beach or else I'd be all over the seaweed!!! I did, however, find a horse rescue farm nearby that gives away manure for free!!!! Heading there tomorrow to pick up a few bags of it. My wife is thrilled!!!