I'm heading out the door, but for me both methods work. I can direct sow or wintersow. Wintersown plants can get a little lanky, but they do fine.
Problem I have with direct sown in winter is that birds and cats love disturbed earth. The first scratches around in the seeds, the second...buries them. If you direct sow, it is a good idea to put a few sticks or a screen loosely over the seeded area if you have issues with animals disturbing your sowings. Or, you can use a little straw (not hay) just like you would for grass seeds.
Gotta go.
