I am actually preparing my outdoor garden now, so I can give you about as real time advice as they come. I have 45 unfeminized seeds, all of which which I will be germinating. I'll be using those trays that come with 10 or 20 stake shaped pots on it for little herb gardens. The extended length helps the roots develop deep, rather than wide.
Check with the local garden shop for when most people start planting their tomatoes and germinate one month before that. Keep them inside for that month. I'll be using a 400 watt Metal Halide, a 400 watt High Pressure sodium, 3x 250 w MH, and 2x 150w MH. That's plenty for so many seedlings. You can use compact fluorescents (CFL's), a 13 watt cfl per seedling will be fine for the first two weeks. Then double the CFL's for the last two weeks. During this entire month, take them outside at least every other day. An hour at a time for the first week, then extend gradually. I like to do 2 hours the second week, and 6 for the remaining.
I am cleaning the selected outdoor area now. All weeds, unwanted vegetation, etc, is completely cleared out. If using a uniform crop in rows, orchard style, mark off the area. Keeping a clear and decisive area is important. I'm using a guerilla technique and only clear about a 1' radius area, sporadically. The surrounding vegetation needs to be kept to hide my plants. I will germinate mid-february. This is because the climate is arid, with early spring and hot summers, allowing me to plant as early as mid-march. The soil should be tilled one month before plantation. Add a loam to the topsoil and mix it all up, I like 50% loam, 50% topsoil. Leave the soil in the ground to acclimate for one entire month. It'll be rich and delicious by the time it's ready to get a plant. It's good to have a local water source. If you get droughts, that 10 miles will be a problem. If you do have a ground water source, check the pH. 6.5-7.0 is best. Use a resevoir to adjust pH if you need to. Also, check for pollution in the water, beer canss, cigarette buttes, etc. These are highly poisonous to plant and the water can't be used if it's bad. A little trash does not disqualify it, but a lot does. Check out this thread for a good water pump, you'll need it.
https://www.rollitup.org/outdoor-growing/44131-us-guerilla-growers-worried-about.html and thank Mr. Pyrex for the tip. Peace, brothers and sisters.