g'day locust,

i'm probably in a similar zone as you call it, i am in sub-tropical where we get frost in winter, the frost can get heavy but generally no worse than medium and not every day av' a few days in a fortnight period.

over winter i grow the brassicas, pak choi, loose leaf lettuce, potatoes, onions, garlic & mustards grow all year here if frost stay on the light side to medium we can keep tomatoes going all winter.

might be some ideas there for you.

len

mail len

lens garden page

Also check with your extension/master gardener service. In San Luis Obispo (also zone 9) they have a month by month guide, see the web link:

Here is a link that might be useful: monyh-by-month guide for SLO

Mache (corn salad) Good time to move and plant rhubarb, horseradish, chives, most hardy herbs, artichokes. Leeks should do well, also bok choi.

This should be your rainy season, right? Rain will help all the above get established, and the cooler temps will be fine for them all.

Check out the 4 season vegetable gardening forum.

Hope it helps
Ana