Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes meat (including game and slaughter by-products), fish (including shellfish and other sea animals) and poultry. There are several variants of the diet, some of which also exclude eggs and/or some products produced from animal labour such as dairy products and honey.

A vegan diet is a form of vegetarianism which excludes all animal products from the diet, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey. Strict veganism also excludes the use of animal products such as wool, silk, leather, and fur for attire and adornment, even though some of these do not directly involve the death or slaughter of an animal.

Most vegetarians consume dairy products, and many eat eggs. Lacto-vegetarianism includes dairy products but excludes eggs, ovo-vegetarianism includes eggs but not dairy, and lacto-ovo-vegetarianism includes both eggs and dairy products.

Semi-vegetarianism consists of a diet largely of vegetarian foods, but may include fish and sometimes even poultry, as well as dairy products and eggs. The association of semi-vegetarianism with vegetarianism in popular vernacular, particularly pescetarianism (also called pesco-vegetarianism and described as a "vegetarian" diet that includes fish, has led to what vegetarian groups cite as improper categorisation of these diets as vegetarian. The Vegetarian Society, which initiated popular usage of the term vegetarian as early as 1847, condemns the association of semi-vegetarian diets as valid vegetarianism; the organisation points out that the consumption of fish is not vegetarian.

The reasons for choosing vegetarianism may be related to morality, religion, culture, ethics, aesthetics, environment, society, economy, politics, taste, or health. A generic term for both vegetarianism and veganism, as well as for similar diets, is "plant-based diets". Properly planned vegetarian diets have been found to satisfy the nutritional needs for all stages of life, and large-scale studies have shown vegetarianism to significantly lower risks of cancer, ischaemic heart disease, and other diseases.

Worms Do More than Make Great Soil

Get out your vermicomposter. It seems using worm compost in your vegetable garden will significantly cut down on damage by sucking ad chewing insects like aphids, mealy bugs and caterpillars. Scientists are certain why the worm compost helps, but we always knew it couldn’t hurt.

Battle Bugs With Worm Compost

Greenhouse trials were conducted at Ohio State University to determine the effects of vermicompost (worm compost) on some common insect pests of vegetables. In the trials, 40 percent, 20 percent, or zero vermicompost (derived from food waste) was added to a commercial potting soil in which tomato, pepper, and cabbage seedlings were grown. The seedlings were then exposed to pests: Adult aphids (Myzus persicae) or mealy bugs (Pseudococcus species) were added to the tomato and pepper cages, while cabbage caterpillars (Pieris brassicae) were added to the cabbage cages.

The average number of aphids and mealy bugs on pepper seedlings decreased significantly due to additions of vermicompost (regardless of percentage). The average number of mealy bugs on tomato seedlings also decreased significantly with additions of vermicompost. Average cabbage plant loss (based on leaf area) due to caterpillars was significantly reduced with additions of vermicompost.

The OSU researchers concluded that vermicompost results in major suppression of sucking and chewing insects. Though not sure why vermicompost helped suppress pest populations, they speculated that it might contain essential nutrients not present in the potting soil that could make the seedlings more stress resistant, less attractive to the pests, or perhaps both.
Source: N.Q. Arancon, P.A. Galvis, and C.A. Edwards, "Suppression of Insect Populations and Damage to Plants by Vermicomposts," Bioresource Technology 96(10), July 2005, 1137–42 (Elsevier, P.O. Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands).

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Herbs work especially well as companion plants. They multitask by attracting beneficial insects and repelling pest insects and their fragrance and foliage make them good companions in both the vegetable garden and the ornamental border. The following list is compiled from experience and other people’s suggestions. Keep in mind that some things work in conjunction with other factors in the environment and your results might not be the same as mine. However with some tweaking here and there, you should be able to use plants to keep a better balance in your gardens.

Using Herbs As Companion Plants to Deter Pests
Aphids - Chives, Coriander, Nasturtium
Ants - Tansy
Asparagus Beetle - Pot Marigold
Bean Beetle - Marigold, Nasturtium, Rosemary
Cabbage Moth - Hyssop, Mint (also clothes moths), Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Southernwood, Tansy, Thyme
Carrot Fly - Rosemary, Sage
Flea Beetle - Catmint (Contains nepetalactone, an insect repellent. Steep in water and spray on plants.), Mint
Flies - Basil, Rue
Fruit Tree Moths - Southernwood
Japanese Beetles - Garlic & Rue (When used near roses and raspberries), Tansy
Potato Bugs - Horseradish
Mosquitoes - Basil, Rosemary
Moths - Santolina
Nematodes - Marigold (Marigolds should be established for at least 1 year before their nematode deterring properties will take effect.)
Savory, Winter - Some insect repelling qualities
Squash Bugs & Beetles - Nasturtium, Tansy
Ticks - Lavender (Also thought to repel mice and moths.)Continue