By direct sowing, you are doing what Mother Nature does, and who does a better job than she? 

Nature's way is throwing the seeds out in the fall, and as the wind blows it covers the seed. As she gives us spring moisture and warms the soil, the seeds germinate and start to grow. Starting seeds in a "mini greenhouse" made of milk jugs will get you an even earlier start.

However, this is also how she feeds the birds and mice through the winter with the seeds that have fallen. By you putting them out in the late winter or spring there generally is other food that they go after. 

Working at a garden shop compelled me to do this post. I see so many people coming in the months of January and February and buying all their seeds, seed trays, lights and soil, with the intent of going home that day and planting their peppers, tomatoes, carrots, melons and beans. All on the same day, with a plan on planting their garden the middle of May.  

January for me is a good time to start peppers because of the length of time needed, but unless they are planting everything else as a rehearsal or practice run, I feel that they are setting themselves up for failure.