Cover crop new hugelkultur zone 5

Building our first hugelkultur! What recommendations do you have for a cover crop this first year? We're in zone 5, Central Iowa, USA. I read that potatoes are good, but I'm wondering if it's too late for them. Clover? Thanks!

I would use a mix of white clover along with any other annual herbaceous vegie seeds you have. I personally do a mix with spinach, radish, dill, sunflower, and white dutch clover. I use this mix because that is what I have available. Everything except the clover is harvested seed from my land. Just make sure to apply some mulch after you're done seeding the bed! I hear sun chokes are supposed to be pretty good in that initial set up phase as well.

Thanks! Is the process to cut it down before plants to to seed? When should I turn it in to the soil?

I let everything that wants to goto seed. That way you don't have to replant next year. Once everything is spent I just cut it off at soil level and tuck the spent plant under the mulch to compost in place. No need to turn it into the soil.

Sue,
You still have plenty of time to plant potatoes if you like. I'm just a little further north of you and the only crop of potatoes I planted in mid July 2014 did great by the time I dug them in October. Take note of the other good suggestions you are bound to get here, but don't cross off your potatoes yet!
AL