I'd go with the starts. The PNW has a short enough growing season when it comes to hot weather crops like tomatoes and peppers, etc., that IS rather late to consider starting them from seed now. By the time the seeds germinate and develop enough to reach a size where they can be safely planted out, you are looking at midJune, if not later. Unless they were very short harvest varieties, they may not mature enough to produce much of a crop before the weather shifts. And I'd consider even going with the largest starts.......FWIW, I just planted gallon sized starts that are already beginning to flower.

its the lack of summer heat that makes growing tomatoes in portland hard. even though we have a relatively long growing season, tomatoes don't grow for much of it.

click on the link below, there is some dude in portland selling gallon heirloom starts for $3 a pop.

Here is a link that might be useful: guy selling gallon heirloom starts for 3 bucks

Thanks gardengal and eeldip for your responses. Sounds like I'm better off buying starts and eeldip that link is exactly what I need!

I am not sure if I am supposed to say this but I will be selling about 20 of my heirlooms here in Portland, probably posting on Friday on cl for a Sunday sale for an hour or two. If you want first dibs, you can email me. I have some that are in gallon pots, some in 6 inch and some in 4 inch and several varieties including Brandywine, Black Cherry, Druzba, Orlov Yellow and I can't remember what else. You can watch for it on craigslist. I am in SW Portland. Sorry if I shouldn't have said this. I am also open to trading with you!

I would say it's definitely too late to sow seeds for tomatoes. Your best bet would be to buy healthy starters. Good luck!