Hi jblitzflic, I am in VA also. What part are you in? You may want to keep those little guys in containers the first year. Maybe 4 inch containers with some hardwoood mulch with peat and sand . Let them grow some before you put them in the ground. You can fertilze(don't over do it) with nutricote and they may be 4 ft in 2 years. I have seedlings 2ft the fist year they popped up! When you do plant, if you have decent soil, you should not add anything to it as long as it has good drainage. I'm no expert so someone else may have better advice!! Feel free to email me.
dellac

-- is it crazy to think they could be 4 foot in 2 years?
yes.

--tips on soil mixes?
30% non-mosture holding material
30% mosture holding material
30% compost

--is horse manure ok?
let it sit for a year, don't use fresh.

--how much sand to add to the mix?
water every day? 50%
water every 2 days? 40%
water every week? 25%

--how much mix should go down for each seedling? a gallon or so?
the same amount that was removed from the earth.

--whats the best way to test for and correct the ph?(meter and lime?)
mix soil and water together (in bucket), wait a while,and measure with ph tape or electronic meter.