They are a bit smaller than what I received when buying online, but I bet they'll catch up in no time. I would put down some mulch though. I bought most of my plants from "The Tasteful Garden" and was very pleased with the size and quality. Maybe check them out for next season. Either way, you will be amazed by how fast you plants grow. I would definitely not pull them.

Here is a link that might be useful: link to tasteful garden

Should you scrap them? No, not at all. They are just different aged transplants and will all even out in the end. Many of us prefer the smaller plants as they adapt to transplanting much better than the great big ones do. ;)

It does appear however that based on the fence spacing behind them you have them planted awfully close together. While they are still this small you might want to consider moving every other one if you have the space. If you do, plant the ones you move deeper.

How do plan to support them - cages or stakes - and do you plan to do extensive pruning on these?

Dave

PS: curious as to what the green furry stuff scattered all around them is?

Man , I most definitely need a better monitor than this 8 year old behemoth...because I cant see the furry green stuff....I want to see the furry green stuff too!!!LOL

They will be supported by the cattle panel in the pic. I know you are suppose to space 3 ft apart but I went 1.5 ft. I have read of people going as close as 1 ft. I am using Mels Mix in the raised beds. I will prune if needed. If too crowded I will cut back next year. The stuff on the soil is brown.(peat moss.) Thanks

If you a staking there is no need to move them. They will just grow up instead of out. Smaller is better and will catch up quickly. My hardened off plants are going into the garden today and they are smaller than yours.

You can definitely space 1.5 ft, but you will have to prune ruthlessly to keep them to a single stem. If you do this, high density will work.

I wouldn't scrap them. They should catch up. I would add some much though. I started some that smal last year and they grew to 12' or more. Don't give up the ship! They will catch up if you have the proper nutrients and mulch.

I think I would pull up the box store plants and keep the hierlooms. (If you don't have room to plant them farther apart) (They really are too close together) The little plants will be just fine. When the ground warms up they will grow extremely fast

Magic secret #1 about tomatoes:

Smaller transplants that are healthy and in the proper growth phase will outproduce larger transplants 2 to 1 or even more.

Why is this?

Tomatoes go through several phases of growth from the initial soft stem seedling to a rapid growth phase and then to a reproductive phase. If you set out transplants that are already in the reproductive phase, they don't grow as large or set as many flowers as the smaller plants. By comparison, the smaller plants will go through a rapid growth phase where the plant produces vigorous leaves and stems before it sets blossoms. The result is a much bigger plant that keeps expanding as it supports an increasing fruit load.

Should you throw out the small seedlings? Not on your life! They will be the most productive tomatoes you have.

The comments above re seedlings being too close together are correct. The varieties you named are indeterminate. They will produce best if they have at least 3 feet between plants.

The tomato growers mantra should be Small But Healthy!

Fusion

One year, I set out large and small plants of the same variety, just for kicks. By July 1, one could never tell which had been the small.