In my end of the world, we are having some really strange weather. Nearly all the snow has melted off, it's raining, and the temperatures are getting up to 50 deg. already. Normally, I'd have to wait until the first week of June to set plants out, but the last couple of years it's been mid-May and might be even earlier this year! So I have my pepper seeds sitting in little tubs of vermiculite and am getting trays ready to plant my tomato seeds. (Rick, have you tried the "Sweetie" cherry tomatoes? They grow fast, produce early and LOTS, and are really tasty!)
I tried the seed starting mix, but found it to be too fine, at least the brand I bought. The top of the soil would develop sort of a crust that made it more difficult for the smaller seedlings to break through. So now I just use regular potting soil. And I know everyone says to bottom water, but I also mist the top of the soil with a spray bottle to make sure the seeds don't dry out from the top.
