Soil Health in High Tunnels and Raised Beds: Managing High Organic Matter Systems

This workshop will focus on soil health and soil testing considerations for growing in high tunnels and raised beds, with an emphasis on organic matter. Managing potential high organic matter systems is of interest for many reasons, including the growth of opportunities for high tunnel production through climate-smart funding and the increase in soil samples with high organic matter content received by soil labs in the Northeast. The session will present results from a UConn Extension soil sampling pilot, provide some initial soil health recommendations, and allow for input into further resources and research of relevance to farmers.

Participants will learn about the results of soil analyses from high tunnels and raised beds from autumn 2024 from Connecticut farms, including how the information and experience will be used to develop further testing capability at the UConn Soil Lab for high organic matter samples. Initial recommendations will be shared, focusing on strategies to maintain optimal soil health and emphasizing how these systems can both benefit from and be challenged by high organic matter content. Guidance for soil testing, including when and why to consider requesting a different type of analysis based on high organic matter content, will also be presented.

The workshop will conclude with an opportunity for discussion, allowing participants to share their experiences of managing high tunnel and raised bed systems and suggest opportunities for further resource and research needs for advancing soil health in organic high tunnel and raised bed systems.