In the past I have only started vegetable seeds indoors under lights, or purchased starter plants. Our growing season is to short for direct sowing most things, but I would like to see if the WS method will give me enough of a jumpstart on the season.

I am trying to decide when to attempt winter sowing for cold season vegetables. We probably wont get any more below zero weather, but it will still be in the teens and possibly single digits some nights. Is it to early to winter sow, spinach, lettuce, broccoli and peas? Can I try tomatoes now with any hope? Obviously none of these need cold stratification, so I'm not sure how early/late to try them.

Are there experienced zone 4 people out these who can give me some advice?

I live in the coldest part of zone 5 and have had good luck with lettuces wsed in March. With legumes, you run the risk of them rotting. I have wsed toms and had some success but they fruit much later in August. Spinach is best when direct sown as soon as the ground can be worked and be sure to use seed for this year as it must be fresh. I have also wsed broccoli and brussel sprouts but they never got large enough to produce. I find it best to purchase starter plants for them. I try to ws lettuce every year as it seems to be the 1st container to sprout and gives me so much joy after the long snowy winter. Good luck!

This being my first WS trial, I am sowing almost everything under lights as well, plus plan on turning the raised beds into cold frames as soon as the snow melts (which might happen this week !) for some early direct sowing.

For years I have only grown tomatoes, a few peppers, lettuce, beans, spinach, cucumbers and spinach. Most tomatoes and all peppers are started inside with the other seeds sown directly in the garden.