Hi there!
Yes, both those options are feasible, but the soil must be consistently warm enough for the seeds to germinate. Raised beds do not actually speed up that process. I have two cold frames that I planted a few weeks ago and the seeds have not yet germinated.
In general, raised beds are best for annual crops. If you notice my picture of my terraced slope, I only put annual flowering plants there because perennials do not survive well here in that situation. It is the same with a raised bed as the rootball is too exposed to the elements. Instead, it is best to put perennial plants directly into the soil, in a bit of a depression, cover with a good mulch and hope that we get an adequate snow cover for insulation.
Hoop houses are very handy to keep frost off of tender seedlings and plants. I am fortunate that I have a greenhouse, which protects my plants from frost, but also extends the season.
I see that you are in South Africa. I bet gardening is much different there!
I don't have much of a garden. All my plants are in pots. I have a cucumber (should be uprooting it soon), a ton of mint (spread like wildfire), Paprika (almost two years old now), and some gooseberries (infested with red spider mite). I'm actually an entomologist, and I have my garden to attracting insects to enjoy.
This may be silly, what about germinating the seeds indoors before transplanting them? I know things like carrots do poorly as transplants, but lettuce should be fine.
What can you even grow out in Zone 2, and when is your expected last frost date?
As for South Africa, my dad (Agriculturalist) says there are only really three zones. I believe it was no frost, high light with some frost, and then highland with extended or hard frost. I'll have to go read those messages again.
I believe your dad has a point! I live on the Canadian Prairies so I expect I would fall into "high light with some frost". It is cold here though. Think Siberia.
Zone 2 is very difficult and I like to joke that I get my vegetables the hard way. I do start seeds indoors, such as tomatoes and peppers. This year I am starting a bunch of perennials that I hope to plant outdoors at the beginning of June. I direct sow other stuff like carrots and lettuce as soon as the snow is gone and the soil is no longer frozen. I already have seeds in my coldframes and in a few weeks I will sow seeds in my main garden.
Last frost dates are iffy. In general, it is not safe for plants until the last weekend in May. That is not a guarantee, however, as last year I had a hard frost on Midsummer (June 21/22). I lost many plants.
My region is quite north at about the 52nd parallel north. The advantage there is that the days are long. By Midsummer, the sun does not set until close to 11 pm. Right now, the sun is setting just before 8:30 pm.
Although Fall, Winter, and Spring are cold, the Summer months are hot. June to August averages 25 Celsius. It is normal to have temperatures well above 30 during these months. I can grow almost anything during these months. The problem is the Winter. It is so cold and only a minority of plants can make it through. Trees, shrubs, and plants need to survive temps between -40 and -50 Celsius!
I find it amazing that you have a paprika plant that is two years old! Mine will die off in the first hard frost in September.
Thanks for reading. I will keep posting more stuff as the season wears on.
I started my paprika indoors, and where I am there is no winter frost. A lot of rain though. But it is showing its age now. I need to pull it up once winter has settled.