If freezing damp seeds cracks them, how do seeds “in the wild” get dry before winter hits?
Generally, annuals don't make it if exposed to wet and freezing temps, except in compost piles, or naturally occurring "micro-climates".
Compost as it breaks down releases a warming gas, especially if nitrogen is present.
Natural occurring "micro-climates" exist near heat sinks, sandy soils, southern (sun exposure) walls, stone walls (warm mass),
or where there is protection from winds, or covered by leaves in the fall.
Some seeds actually have better germination if the seed coat is cracked by freezing. Just FYI.
In general, if it’ll sprout in the compost bin, it can handle more abuse than most people think. Tomatoes and squash are both notorious for that.
Seeds, in the wild, NEED ‘scarification; which IS that series of freezing and thawing that breaks down the outer, tough membrane and allows the seeds to germinate come spring. (Think: Poppy Seed, Morning Glory, Cone Flower, or any other self-seeding flower of the field.) Food crops that are perennials are generally, ‘root’ crops - Asparagus, Rhubarb, Raspberries, Jerusalem Artichoke, etc.) and don’t reproduce via seed, anyway.
Veggie seeds that are Annuals, versus Perennials, which are the majority of food crops we gardeners grow, aren’t built that way. They need to stay ‘whole’ until it’s time to germinate under warm, sunny conditions once we make another trip around the Sun and it’s Springtime, again. :)
However, I have no explanation for, ‘volunteer’ lettuce seed and tomato seed that show up just about anywhere they want to when I haven’t cleaned up my garden in the Fall. ;)
And I planted ONE Borage plant about 25 years ago - and I STILL have Borage all over the place, unless it’s pulled. The bees like it, though, so it can stay. :)