There is no "better" method, only ones that fit what you want to sow...

You cant sow everything in the fall with its still warm temps because some items will germinate and quickly wither in the cold temps...

Some items also wouldn't tolerate cold temps in the winter.

Some items require a WARM/COLD/WARM temp cycle to germinate, these should be sown in late fall.

There are a very few items that Ive done fall direct sowing with , columbine and foxglove that germinated grew and survived over winter..

Silverkelt