I live in Arizona, and grow in planters outside in winter. My broccoli gets to a couple small heads about the sixe of a golf ball, and goes to seed without making the big crowns you see in the store. Why is it doing this? Because of the short day? They grow it in winter anyway elsewhere. It's alot of effort for failure.
My spinach grows like crazy, though. I can have a spinach salad anytime I want out of a couple flats growing. chard grows good in winter too, but I don't like it much.
My cabbage grows good, but splits alot.
Earthboxes work good, but at $30 a pop... I'm gonna try and grow in old tires.