In northern Germany, where I am, tomatoes go in the ground May 15. That’s the date for tobacco, technically, but I believe the cold soil temperature caused some early flowering for me, last year.
Middle of march would be the industry standard 2 months seedling nursery stage.
Rusticas usually take about one month.
That’s what I’ve done before.
I have strong lights for seed starting now, but this year I’m going to try germination indoors, and seedling stages in my greenhouse. It just now got warm enough to keep plants alive in there.
This has been a very cold spring, which means a later start, but, fewer ticks in the forest.