Yeah Linden isn't far from where I'm at currently. Lived in Decherd TN when I was up there. Like you said, the first and last frost is different by about a week. Doesn't matter too much on the fall greens but it does on the spring green beans, english peas, etc. Some veggies can take a frost and some can't. Mid November to mid February is about the only time you can't plant something or shouldn't, guess you could try. Green house to get greens started and you could plant then.
I said seeds if I wanted food for a year due to easy to store, not much space needed, taste and price. If I wanted to store meals I'd dehydrate some leftovers but I don't enjoy eating those meals as much as fresh food.