Vegetable gardening has become more and more popular.  It is a way to relax, if you consider pulling weeds relaxing, and is also a way to grow your own groceries.  Tomatoes are grown in over 86 percent of gardens in the United States.  There are many common diseases and problems that can plague tomatoes in the home garden.  With a little help you can keep your tomatoes in tip top shape.

Early blight is a common tomato disease.  It is caused by a soil-borne fungus.  Rain water, or overhead irrigation, can cause the soil and fungi to splash onto the lower leaves of the plant.  The infection starts as leaf spots on the lower leaves then causes yellowing then eventually causes the stems to turn brown.  The infection works its way up the plant causing the foliage to die.

There are ways to help prevent the spread of this fungal…