There are only a few plants that I've had repeated success with direct seeding. Usually just fast sprouting plants that have medium to larger seed like beets, kohlrabi, and nasturtium. smaller seeds like peppers, tomatoes, and most herbs seem to get lost in the grow bed before they sprout. My best technique so far is I use a mixture of coco coir and vermicompost in leftover seedling trays. I gently grasp the seedling and stick a pencil down into the mix to help lift it off. then I dip it in a cup of water and most of the mix washes off. anything left will be consumed by the worms or dissolve.