It takes planning. Our first strategy is to grow plants during the summer and fall, which can be harvested and stored in a garage or basement for use in the new year. Head gardener, Wes Barrett, recommends hard-rind varieties of squash. Our favourite is 'Buttercup'. Plant it when the air and soil are warm in May and harvest in September or mid-October.
Pumpkins are another good choice.
Outside Our second strategy is to grow plants that can be left in the ground in Vancouver gardens and then harvested in the winter. They stay in the soil right through January so you don't have to worry about storing them. Kale, which is easy to grow, is one of the most nutritious of all vegetables. Russian Red', and 'Siberian' are good over-wintering varieties. There are also excellent over-wintering broccolis and cabbages which will survive most Vancouver winters.