Q+A: Arugula and Spinach in JuneCLIFF ASKED:”Is it too late to plant arugula or spinach seeds in June?” Response: Great question. The answer is no, no, no. It’s true that both of these crops prefer cool weather. With the arrival of hot weather, they quickly bolt (send up a flower stalk) and stop producing tender leaves. So if you’re planting these crops now, plant the seeds in a partially shaded area, which will be cooler than a full-sun location. Another point with late-planted arugula: there’s a bug called a flea beetle—and it really likes arugula. It’s not out early enough to bother early arugula crops, but it’s out now, so you can expect arugula leaves with lots of little holes. They’re not pretty, but are perfectly edible. (If the holes really bother you, use what’s called a floating row cover—a piece of mesh-like fabric that covers the plants and excludes the bugs.) Even if you don’t plant these crops now, do plant them in late August. They’ll thrive with the arrival of cool, fall weather.
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