Yes, I do cover it in the winter with a cold frame type cover. I mulch them well with You need to select cold hardy plants such as spinach , Swiss chard, baby carrots, scallions and mache and get them started by Aug. 1 st. As for irrigation I use Agrifim products ,700 OD diameter tubing with 1/2 gal per hour pressure compensating Dura Flo dripperline. with 12" spacing on the emitters. I run two sections on through the planter and connect to a blank tubing of the same that then hooks up ...»