I think starting indoors will definitely give you better germination rates,and that early start to first bloom . For me I don't think I would be dedicated enough to keep them alive.
I start my seeds in a cold frame, starting after 4 weeks stratification usually from mid Sept. thru mid Oct. Give or take a couple wks. ( pictures below ).
Germination is not as good as indoor, but better than direct sown ,spring or fall. Most years I get 60 - 70 percent germination.
The bubble wrap you see is not put on until the coldest part of winter.
It is just stapled to the wooden frame. The vent is a concrete foundation vent, open automatically at 40 - 70 degrees.
Those pictures were taken in Dec. Iam in zone 6b, Jan and Feb. are usually our coldest months. You may not even need the extra protection of the bubble wrap.
