Well finally , I couldnt log in for hours..

Ive started peony from seed before, however I just direct sowed late fall, It worked for me,however, I never saw any bloom even after 3 years, then I moved, so whoever the new owners are probably enjoying them! You can try wintersowing, they do need cold stratification, however a warm-cold-warm cycle might be best.

You can grow dahlias from seed, they are fairly easy, do them later, your later winter for you.. for me its late april or so, I cant recomend a time for you in your zone. You might be able to go ahead and do them now.

BTW do others around you grow peonies? Do you get enough cold in the winter to grow them? Sorry I dont know much about the weather in memphis. Peonies are cold lovers though, some survive down to zone 2 and they need that cycle every year to bloom properly.

Silverkelt