This New Zealand Giant Weta is claimed to be the World's Biggest Bug.  Read more about it here

Via Nat Geo

The following information comes from the pamphelt Prepared by Orange County Public Utilities Divison and the Orange County Extension Service

Orange County Compost

Since 1992, yard waste has been collected from Orange County homes and composted.  The final product of the compost processing resembles peat moss, is free of weed seeds and plant pests, and contains some plant nutirents.  Compost often has a soil pH of about 8.0 which means the soil is alkaline and should not be used with plants that need a very acidic soil such as azaleas and blueberries.

Take up to a pickup truck load of Orange County Compost Free! Bring a shovel and containers.

University of Florida and Orange County studies have shown that compost makes a great mulch and soil improvement.

Available Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at:
McLeod Road Transfer Station
5000 L. B. McLeod Road
Orlando, FL  32811
407-245-0931

Available daily from 8:00am-5:00pm
Orange County Landfill
12100 Young Pine Road
Orlando, FL  32829
407-836-6601

Porter Transfer Station
8750 White Road
Orlando, FL  32818
407-296-5198

Call first to be sure compost is available

How to use Orange County Compost

Landscape:  Add a 2 to 3 inch layer of compost to shrub and tree plantings.  The compost will help hold in soil moisture and gradually provide nutrients.  Only citrus trees and not mulched in Florida due to a disease called foot rot which occurs when the base of the trunks are kept moist.

Lawn Preparation:  mixing compost with a sandy soil will help hold in mositure needed for new root growth.  Three inches of compost can be tilled into the soil before seeding or sodding a new lawn.

Via Boing Boing

It's a video trailer for a book called "56 Cranberry Street: Apartment B" by Ben H Winters

Great story out og the Sun Sentinel:

Its name, Texas Phoenix palm decline, is decidedly humdrum. But the new disease's potential effects on the state's palm trees are extraordinary.

Also extraordinary is the squeamish way it's transmitted: through the vomit of a mysterious bug.

Texas Phoenix palm decline, discovered in its namesake state some 30 years ago, is a fatal disease that kills palms quickly. Detected in Florida in 2006, among its preferred victims is the sabal palm, the state's official tree. So far, it's confined to the Tampa area, but scientists, arborists and landscapers are nervously watching to see if it has South Florida in its crosshairs.

Read the entire story here

Hornet from Hell

Items to obtain:

1. • Wash your car with the soap and water and bucket

   • Rinse the car and look for any love bug residue. Dip a dryer sheet in your soapy bucket.

   • Use the dryer sheet the same way as you would a sponge, you'll see the guts washing away. The film is the fabric softener unlocks the guts, while the mild abrasive from the dryer sheet does all the work.

   •  Rinse and dry car as normal.