did you have at least a hoop house over it? well sealed? I think only garlic survives uncovered in Zone 5. Kale can survive with enough snow cover, but a tall plant like broccoli needs cover for sure.

Those overwintering broccolis and cabbages are not for zone 5A.

I also have had no luck overwintering the purple sprouting broccoli, so this year I started some seeds early and hope the plants are mature enough to accept spring chilling. They are hardening off now, will go out under cloches in a few days.

Nope - didn't have a hoop house. Guess that was kinda dumb! Oh well, now I know.

I was lulled into a false sense of security by the broccoli that survived on my deck last year with no cover, but I guess the deck has it's own microclimate. We had a lot of snow cover this year (same as last), so I thought maybe that was the trick. Next year, I'll cover 'em.