In your zone (and mine) I suggest a two pronged approach:

First, start seeds indoors and provide them with a grow light after germination (inexpensive floro shop light is fine).

Second, put seeds in a container with drain holes and let them sit outside regardless of weather (winter sowing).

Use whichever plants do the best, and form healthy transplants the soonest.

As an alternative to what I called wintersowing, sow the seeds directly in the garden during winter. If they sprout in spring then use those. In fact this could be a third method.

The key to getting a good harvest from cool season crops is getting them into their permanent home as early in the season as possible while not exposing them to weather that will kill or injure them. In many areas this is difficult as each year brings different weather.

That is why I recommend not putting all eggs into one basket. Never know what the year will bring.

That's good advice since these crops are more iffy. I can't see doing the indoor approach with spinach, tho. because I grow a lot of plants. I guess I'll try direct seeding some now, some after the ground freezes, then see if either works come spring.

Thanks :0)

Many gardeners sow spinach seed right on frozen ground, and get great germination as soon as the ground thaws. Spinach is super hardy and takes a hard frost well.

I lived in your area (Sullivan County) and had great success sowing in March, sometimes having to pull snow back off the soil. For what it's worth, I had the same results with sweet peas as well!

Ron
The Garden Guy
http://www.TheGardenGuy.com

That's great to know! Thanks. What month do you plant the seeds?

I have planted Spinach and Broccoli Raab seeds now, in a cold frame, for harvest in January and February as well as later. Many of the lettuces can also be planted now for harvest during the winter.

Thanks, kimmsr. Unfortunately my cold frame just fell apart!

Believe it or not, I have planted peas during a February thaw and covered them with a few inches of mulch. The germinated the end of March when the ground finally thawed for good and produced the best crop I ever had. I have planted spinach and lettuce the first week in March with equally great results. Give it a shot and I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

Ron
The Garden Guy
http://www.TheGardenGuy.org