The timing all depends on your climate but most outdoor growers don't just throw seeds in the dirt outside they start plants inside or in a greenhouse earlier than the season allows thus allowing them to have a jumpstart on their first harvest and allowing them to have time for a second harvest in late summer/fall. Start your plants In red solo party cup and when they are a foot tall move them to a larger container. When the weather is right move them outside. Plants don't require 12/12 lighting conditions until they are ready to bud. Meaning you don't want to start your plants under 12/12 lighting. They need time to grow big and strong so they can support the large buds that will grow on them when 12/12 lighting occurs. Start your plants in the beginning of may with either 18 hrs of light and 6 hrs of dark or 24 hr light and when June hits and the temps go up move them outside to their final grow spot. And Mother Nature will provide the 12/12 light they need to bud
No problem. Make sure your growing females tho. Males will ruin your harvest with seeds plus males produce no delicious bud whatsoever