The University of MN/University of NH High Tunnel Cover Crops Trial is recruiting organic high tunnel growers to receive cover crop seed and participate in cover crop planting in fall 2025 or spring 2026. Our project aims to enable organic high tunnel growers to reduce their dependence on purchased composts and manures by using nitrogen-fixing legume cover crops.
Participating farmers will receive seed of "best bet" legume cover crops for your chosen timeslot, as well as a free soil test. To learn more about participating in the trial, please fill out our interest form. We will also be holding an informational webinar for farmers interested in taking part in the trial on Monday, August 18 at 12pm CDT on Zoom. Sign up for the informational webinar here.
Upcoming planting timeslot options are:
- Fall/overwinter cover crops (planted between August 15 and November 1), which will overwinter and be terminated before your spring vegetable planting.
- Early spring cover crops (planted between February 1 and April 15), grown before your transplanted or late-seeded warm-season vegetable crops (e.g. tomato or fall broccoli).
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Some highlights from our fall trial last year include:
- 88% of farmers who tried cover crops in their high tunnels said they wanted to do so again, and another 7.5% said they might want to.
- Peas and hairy vetch provided on average about 50 lbs of nitrogen per acre - this is a great boost / replacement for at least some of your inputs. Four farms were able to generate over 100 lbs of nitrogen per acre!
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