It's definitely not too late for Spinach! I can grow it until October starting under a row cover this month. Is this because of my zone and you are saying zone 6 it's too late? Anyways, as far as insects... used coffee grind sprinkled around your plants will prevent slugs since I hear it's too acidic for their wet bodies. It won't prevent deer, so I don't know what you can do for that. You might try companion planting to try and plant things around the spinach to prevent some bugs from going around it... and sit in the garden with a shotgun for the rest. Ha ha

if you've already done your raised beds you have the hard part done. just buy a packet of seeds or a 6 pack of plants (nurseries & garden centers should have). you can start them now through about february, but you'll get more over time by doing it now. follow the instructions on the packet for the seeds or plant the plugs. it's really that easy. you don't need to worry with rows if you don't want, and you can even make designs with the red and green types. don't cover lettuce seeds with dirt- they need light to germinate. you may want to lightly cover with sheer fabric or reemay/row cover(also at the garden centers) to keep the birds from snacking on your babies or seed. reemay will also extend the harvest as it gets colder, but it isn't necessary. the lettuce will lift it as it grows, or you can prop it up with sticks. keep it reasonably moist but not soggy & you'll quickly see germination if the seed is good. the seed lasts for a few yrs if kept dry and reasonably cool. seed is a much more economical way to do lettuce, but if you're anxious for plants, you could try a few 6 packs and seed also, so you get the lettuce at harvestable size sooner, then more as the seedlings in turn get big enough to harvest. grow as much as you have room for- it's addictive and easy to give away if you get too much. for one person, i'd plant at least a 4'x 4' area. more if you really eat a lot of salads. lettuce grows fast in the right conditions- cool & moist. you can pick at most any size. some mixes are made specifically to harvest tiny (usually called mesclun or cut & come again). as the lettuce bolts, typically as it gets hot in spring, it will get bitter. just stop eating it when it's too bitter for you. really, starting with lettuce is one of the easiest veggies you can possibly do. oh, and don't worry with the headig types- go for looseleaf. some nice companions to winter lettuce are radishes (also super easy from seed) and green onions. buy a bag of the little onions & plant them, and you'll have green onions in about 6 weeks. or so. nothing's better with a steamy bowl of soup & fresh bread on a winter day. spinach is similar to lettuce- you space it out a bit more, is all, which is easy since the seed's bigger. mmm mm. enjoy! don't be afraid- just dig in! tammy

Hi Sam, I also have several aerosprings - I built mine myself from some plans in How To Hydroponics, but buying them sure is easier. I grow romaine lettuce in mine and it can get rather large - I use 4" netcups for almost everything. It really all depends on exactly what you want to grow...example: romaine is larger than baby spinach. Personally, I'd recommend 2" netcups if you plan on harvesting "baby greens" and 4" netcups for everything but tomatoes. I use 6" cups for my "aerospringed" tomatoes. Keep in mind I built mine myself from plans in the book how to hydroponics, I believe the aerosprings you can order already precut lids so you may want to ask, unless they do custom builds. I use hydroton/leca clay pellets in my systems and have had great results - just rinse them first in cold running water in a collander. Best of luck and check out my website if you have some questions you can contact me there Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.TechnologyGarden.net

My temps range from 65-75 right now and my lettuce is doing great. This is the first time I've tried to grow it inside under fluorescent lights and if the harvest is as good as it is looking like it will be then I won't bother growing them outside ever again. The spinach isn't doing great but I think it's time for larger container for them. They are probably root bound. I'm potting them up right now as a matter of fact.