What kind are they?

Normally, they like fairly fertile soil and warm temperatures. How are yours ? Also, it is not at all unusual for them to just kinda set there for a little while as they are getting their roots established some, before devoting much energy to the top growth, but not usually a month.

Could they need a little fertilizer of some type, perhaps ??
Bill P.

I can think of a few possibilities.

They were rootbound and you didn't break up the rootball a little so the roots can find their way out or send out new shoots.

They're in dense, wet or cold soil and it's not feeling much vigor. Or it's very shady, cloudy or cool outside.

Tomatoes are little hussies sometimes and take three weeks to get going again after a stress or cold spell.

It's a small or late season variety to begin with.

Sometimes you'll run across a plant that is just in a permanent funk. Could be old seed, immature or small seed, or conditions were lousy at germination time. They'll just always be behind.

Certain diseases, or maybe a root-chomping bug has it in its grips.

Any of these, others or all of the above could be reasons.
Does one or more of them ring a bell?

-Ed

Did you harden them off before you put them out? If they are shocked they will slow way down for a while. Get some starter fertilizer with B1, dissolve a couple plain asprin (yes it really does work on plants too, plus asprin boots root development). Folar feed this with a sprayer once a week. Use organic stuff on the soil though. The roots need all that beneficial fungi and soil microlife to help push nutrients into the plant right now. Salts in the chemical stuff are very bad for the soil microlife. Liquid fish fertilizers are excellent for the soil.

Hi,
Thanks everyone for the possible reasons. With vigomatic list --I do not see any such reasons--however unable to find out anything about the seed itself and the lousy germination time. If you are from NJ then you all know what type of weather we are experiencing-couple of days it was 90--I thought this may help the plant--but did not. But will try the method/methods suggested. Appreciate all your suggestions.
Thanks

AAAAAAAA,

We've had some weird weather lately in the tri-state area. It's supposed to get warmer over the weekend. I'd lay some grass clippings for mulch around the plants...not too deep, less than two inches is fine. It will help keep the soil moist and reduce it's rapid cooling at night once the sun goes down. A little seaweed-based fertilizer can help strengthen seedlings and young plants, you can find it at any good nursery center.

Good luck with toms,

T

[How] have you prepared your soil before planting?

Since I too, am from NJ can understand frustration with our weather. First time for heirlooms and have one that has 2 green tomatoes and only stands about a foot high. No further yellow flowers and just refuses to budge, all the others are at least 3 ft tall. Can't figure it out, they all get fish emulsion about every 2 weeks. This cool weather really doesnt help. Just sharing my stunted tomatoe with you. Good luck

ok, silly question re coffee grounds. Do you mean fresh or already brewed. Know you can use coffee grounds in compost. I imagine you mean fresh.

Hi Maggie,

They're talking about used coffee grounds. :-)