Aguilegers

welcome to GoY.
you can scatter them in situ now and let nature take its course or you can sow them in a pot now and leave outside where it will get watered. once they have germinated [this may not be until spring so be patient]wait until they are at the 4 leaf stage and pot up into individual 3" pots. next spring plant out into final positions.

Fresh seed germinates far better than stored seed.

You'll get a far better germination if you leave it to nature! Just leave the plant to scatter the seed - then watch for seedling round about. I usually leave them to get themselves through the winter - then move them to where I want them but you can of course pot them up and overwinter somewhere safe outside. As Owdboggy says - the fresher the better!!

I have some specific varieties to sow and don't want them mixed up as they would be outside. My book says to sow in autumn, so I think I'll do mine in treys next month.

Absolutely right, Sid. Get them going ASAP and with any luck you can get them safely into a wee sheltered bit for overwintering as tiny plants ready for next year. They really are very adaptable things.