Now is the perfect time to start seeds! Starting early doesn't help in the long run. You may be the first person on the block with a ripe tomato but it won't taste that great. They need hot days and cool nights to grow fast and get perfectly ripe. Sowing them now and moving them outside in early May works just fine - no matter where you live.

Amen, John! I just told a fairly-new-to-gardening friend of mine the same thing today! In the past 10 yrs i've drifted away form the april 15 date and have been happier for my results. I plan to start my seeds this week. Black cheery is one of my faves, too and i'll be starting if from seed i got from pinetree. Lots of places carry the seed, though.