I've twice grown from seed before, and I'm trying again this year. I grew them on in pots for the first year and planted out the following spring. First time round that worked well. Second time I'd moved plots and they got smothered in surface weed. This time I've sown them direct on the plot, but in a trench of potting compost so they shouldn't have to compete with the weeds.
My suggestion is to grow them on this year and plant out is a clean bed next spring.