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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- What are some ways to get your tomatoes in your garden to grow better? That was the topic in Tuesday’s ‘Facebook Story of the Day’.

When caring for tomatoes, it’s important to consider soil health. Adding a little calcium can prevent blossom end rot, which is caused by a deficiency in that nutrient.

Experts recommend using a liquid solution of fertilizer with 45 percent phosphorous.

Another thing experts recommend is Epsom Salt.

“Epsom Salt is essentially magnesium sulfate,” said MU Bradford Research and Extension Center Superintendent, Tim Reinbott. “Magnesium and sulfur are two of the most essential elements in good photosynthesis, good fruit set, and fruit quality.”

Staking or caging your tomato plants is also recommended. This keeps the growing tomato upright to limit diseases like blight, but before you stack them in cages, there’s one thing you should always do.

“We have lots of ways of staking tomatoes. We could have wire cages, we could have stakes, but did you know that those are havens for diseases? So, what I like to do is take a 10% Clorox solution and wipe all my cages down, my tomato stakes down and let the sun evaporate that off,” Reinbott said. “That will kill any of the fungal spores on those and that will limit my infestation.”

Fungus is a major nemesis for tomato growers. Blights, which manifest as blotches or rust on lower leaves, are caused when dirt splashes on the plant.

“Let's not allow those raindrops to splash, let's make sure we get good mulch over these. Whether it's straw or newspaper or whatever you want to use. Let's mulch our tomatoes as soon as we plant them,” Reinbott said.

Experts also recommend that you prune back ‘sucker’ shoots, which are branches that tend to produce less fruit.

“Removing them will let more nutrients reach the remaining branches, causing a healthier plant and bigger fruit,” Reinbott said.

Reinbott also would like to remind gardeners that it only takes about six weeks from the time a tomato blooms until you have a ripe fruit.