How exciting!
While northern gardening is fun, it can also be challenging!. But having lived in zone 9b and now 4b (NW BC), I still think the northern climate is my favourite. As many mentioned, garlic is an autumn staple. I've also had success with heavy fall seeding of greens such as spinach and corn salad (mache) under a cold frame for some of the first greens in the spring (March), just plant them late enough in the autumn that they won't sprout and be sure to overseed! There isn't really much that will be harvest ready before the snow flies. If the moose don't find it, I've had mature kale last until February (or up until that -40C/F cold snap whenever that decides to arrive). I tend to use winter as a time to relax, look at seed catalogues, dream, plan and ski. Growing pea and sunflower shoots on the sunny window sill help satisfy the growing urge.
Although, I just listened to a CBC radio interview about a farmer growing a banana plant in his greenhouse in Fort Nelson, BC (3a). It's bearing hundreds of bananas right now, so I guess anything is possible!
A book I recommend ( by a local-to-here author) is called Gardening between the Frosts by Dave Havard. A great guide to growing in NW BC which might lend some info for your area.
