The University of MN and University of NH are recruiting organic high tunnel growers to participate in the second year of our High Tunnel Cover Crops Trial by receiving cover crop seed and participating in cover crop planting in spring or summer 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. First trial of 2026 begins February 1.
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 see our enrollment form. We will also be holding an informational webinar for farmers interested in taking part in the trial on Monday, February 2 at 12pm CDT on Zoom.
Upcoming planting timeslot options are:
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).
Summer cover crops (planted between May 15 and July 15), grown between spring and fall shoulder season or overwinter crops, or during a fallow year for your tunnel
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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