Zone 7 Maryland with warm days and frigid nights

As part of a community project, I was given some packaged peony tubers to plant

It seems to be a good idea to see if they will sprout before placing them in the ground
as they're from Home Depot.

What do you suggest... can they be started in water, or placed in a shallow pan, covered
with a cloth and kept moist ? Do they need soil to sprout or just after they sprout.

Planting time is scheduled for March...

Thanks in advance for your advice !!!

Peter