Here. I find the best time for sowing is at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb. I sow mine in a cold greenhouse, so as long as your 'out room' has enough light you should be fine.
The last few years I've sown mine, 2 seeds at a time, in cutdown small water bottles (saved years ago) They make nice long roots, in those
They don't like being soaking wet, but as usual, make sure they don't dry out completely.