Yes you can start them outdoors. Wet your potting mix first and let the excess water drain, then get your seeds and put them in a cup of water for 15 minutes. Push them into the soil no more then half an inch. Less is better. Then pinch the soil over the hole. Place in a sunny spot, ideally on the southern part of your property so they get morning sun instead of the hotter mid-day sun. Mist the soil with fresh water every day in the morning or after noon. In three to five days it will sprout.
Once sprouted, look for something to protect it against pests. Mature healthy plants can fend off attacks, but seedlings can't. Start indoors or in outside cold frames if possible. Large containers off the ground are safer then those at ground level. A basin or moat around the plant helps quite a bit. Most insects hate aluminum foil. Slugs and snails hate copper. Diatomaceous earth can be applied before hand and mixed into the soil to deter insects. Don't forget about gofers, field mice, and cats. Think of creative ways to protect against all these threats and more.