I left mine out last fall also. I thought you were supposed to and that they would grow like perennials each year. Course if you pull them up how are they to come back each year?
I guess I will see. I planted garlic for the first time and that will also be a 'we'll see'. The most I can hope for is to push back the spring start a little and push forward the summer into winter using hoops, survival coverings, and heat bulbs. I have to wonder if it is worth the effort. My little aerogardens are pumping out romaine and red salad bowl lettuce like mad. Might be hard to grow a broc or cabbage that way.