Seed germination and growing suggestions?

[ezzrider]

I am new to this forum and it is great to seed a tomato specific forum that is actually read and posted. I am in the Tampa Bay region or Zone 9a. I want to start growing some tomato seeds this week. I built a simple small greenhouse using clear plastic sheeting for a cover. The front is slit to open but can be closed. I built a table to put the greenhouse top on and that table top is made out of chicken wire. Hopefully this way there should be sufficient air flow. Since the weather has turned nice here I want to start the seeds outdoors but inside the small greenhouse. I have numerous 9 cell planter trays as well as larger pots. I intend on starting the seeds in the 9 cell planter trays and then later transferring to larger pots. I grow the tomatoes in 10 gallon squat posts with composted horse manure. What is the preferred method to germinate the seeds. Should I simply start them in the trays? Also what growing medium should I use? I do have some Perlite, sphagnum peat moss, composted horse manure and Scott's Potting soil. I tried a Perlite and sphagnum peat moss combination last season and the seeds started OK but died out. Any suggestions on how to best get these seeds germinate and growing? Thanks.



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