It's unfortunate about the hail and the chilly/wet weather. I would not pot them. I think they are better off in the ground. Give them a fertilizer tonic and keep them watered.

As for a back up plan, slips from tomatoes root easily.

Jim

I too, have planted heirloom tomato seeds for the first time this year, in central TX. I am not having any luck either. I was going to start them for "fall" tomatoes but the seeds are not coming up. I planted them as per the instructions, not in direct sun, in a warm place and keeping the soil "moist". I have now brought my pots inside in the AC which will keep them about 75/80 degrees. I am hoping this will help. Any other ideas? Please help.

Hi. I too planted heirloom toms this year for the first time. I went and bought a couple b/c my plants looked so bad after a few cold nights and so much rain. I decided to plunk them in the ground but they really did look about dead to me. The greened up a little but did not grow. I gave them a fish emulsion feed and they perked up as soon as we had some sun. Now they are going nuts an dbigger than my store bought tom's. They are full of blooms and fruit and I could not be happier. So, I would say give them a good dose of fish emulsion and then another next week. I think if your weather is warming up and sunning up you will do fine. Don't give up. The one thing I learned was that heirloom tom's are sturdier and harder to kill than hybrid plants. :) GoodLuck !!

Nichol