If you don't get freezing weather, the plants should survive. If you get freezes/frosts, you will need to protect it or it will probably die.

There are many opinions / methods on starting seeds.

You can do just as you suggest, just plant the seeds shallow and keep the soil moist, but, not sopping. If it is too wet, they will likely rot, if it is too dry, they won't sprout.

Another easy method for small operations is wet a papertowel, fold it over, and put the seeds in between the folds. Stick it in a plastic baggie (not sealed) and check on it every couple days to make sure it isn't dry and to see if any tap roots have emerged from the seeds. You can then drop them in your starter pots and cover lightly.