Yeah I can see where a person looks to cut down on cost but man its almost impossible to start seeds in the ground, not completely but almost, like I said I been growing for 40 years and I tried that a fee time before I saw the light..and it don't cost that much to start inside with a couple cheap cfl bulbs and some good soil...the start of a plants life will determine its out come
I been growing longer then 40 years in ky, and I plant seeds strait in the ground ,in rows in great soil and trans plant when they get 2-3 weeks old.in the old days we did not even sprout are seeds befor planting them strait in the ground and always thinned them out if to thick.If seeds will not grow GOOD planted strait in the ground if planted wright the dam seeds are no good.I have planted many acers that way with dam good luck for many years.