When to plant tomato seeds?

[bellabear]

Hi all,

I am diving in this year (since we moved to a new house and have room outside) and going to try to grow seedlings inside! I'm in NC, zone 7. Last frost date April 15th. When should I start the seeds? Can I make my own seedling soil for them? What sort of pot should I plant them in? I am really wanting to have a good tomato crop this year and am waiting for my seeds to come in the mail. I guess I'll need to get some sort of light set up, right? We have a sunroom with counter space but I want to get this right. Are there any cheap set ups?
Could I get something like this and just hang the mounting chain from the cabinet so that it would hang near the countertop?:
http://www.amazon.com/Lithonia-Light...5056331&sr=8-5

Oh, we have a huge greenhouse outside, too. It's glass and missing some glass pieces on the top.

Sorry for the million questions, I am a novice for sure

Best,
Michelle

[JamieCatheryn]

Start seeds inside 6 weeks before last frost, so the beginning of March for you. You can use peat pots, egg cartons, homemade pots out of newspaper wrapped and formed on a can. You'll need a heat source under them, waterproof heating pad. That light looks good to me.