Greenhouse & Tunnels

soil health

Manage Fertility and Improve Soil Health

High tunnels, or soil-based greenhouses, help vegetable growers extend their growing season while increasing crop quality and yield. But because crop rotation and leaching events are limited in tunnels, soil health and productivity decline over time due to fertility and compaction challenges, and rising pH, soluble salts, phosphorus and calcium levels. Cornell Cooperative Extension is researching cover crops for high tunnel growers to better manage fertility and improve soil health.

Ground level view, looking the length of a high tunnel, with a cover crop growing in it.