What is suggested to do or use when bugs are eating your vegetable plants  (really, it's the leaves of the plants so far) and you want to keep your garden organic?  How do you get rid of the bad booger bugs but leave the lovely ladies and  the kind?  I have a book on using things like garlic, peppermint, hot pepper, etc., but they never seem to work.  HELP!  They are consuming my cabbage!

Kim in Westminster, MD

Sound like you've had some information on companion planting... It is one way to divert the bugs from you prized crops and confuse them although like you said not always a great success and is based on folk law! As far as being organic there are some 'permitted' pesticides which can be used in organic gardening (in the UK)

Bacillus thringiensis, Bordeaux mixture, Insecticidal soap, Plant oils, Pyethrum, sulphur and for the caterpillars and plant eating beetle control Derris. Failing you wanting to use any chemicals it sounds like you may need to be using barriers and keeping vigil, picking off the insects by hand....I hope this is helpful...

you may also consider employing the benefits of compost tea for fighting fungal infections, and some insect prevention...

check out soilfoodweb.com for more info

also, naturescontrol.com sells beneficial insects, the majority of them target specific pests and leave the rest alone. 

what is eating your cabbage? visible holes in the plants leaves? how large? do you see the pest or just the aftermath? different methods for different pests...