I've been planting seeds without germinating first for 12 years. It works fine. I have also tried placing the seeds in the ground in the fall, but that was a bust-nothing came up at all. I just finished harvesting the last of my crop and expect to have 6-9 pounds of dried bud. Direct planting as opposed to transplanting seems to yield more durable plants that require less water and attention when the plants are small. Here in Minnesota I usually plant in late April after the likelyhood of frost has passed, and harvest in early October. Healthy plants can withstand temperatures to about 25 degrees F.

Good luck!

Zonker