Need some suggestions on shade tolerant food plot. Have a 1/4 acre spot in the woods cleared out. There is SOME sunlight but not as much as I’d like. I have WI No Plow which I had amazing results with last year with minimal equipment. This spot isn’t accessible to tractors so it’s gna take some elbow grease and hand tools. Looking to make a plot between bedding and 4 acres of beans / clover. Any suggestions ? Anyone have any luck with just throwing seed down before rain and minimal sunlight ?
If you had success with the No Plow last year, go with that again. Otherwise I'd suggest some clover in there.
Balansa clover is shade tolerant and can be planted alone or as part of a mix. An added plus is that balansa can tolerate a pH as low as 4.5, making it a good choice for those difficult to access spots. It's $$, but has good attributes. Google for additional info. -fsh
I've had very good luck with clover. Actually our last episode on the show I talked about the two plots I have at the house, and the back plot doesn't get good light at all and is a really nice clover plot. It's about the same size you mentioned. I used Heartlands Topseed Trophy Clover and it looks great with minimal maintenance. I basically mow it about once a month and that's it.
Weed whack, spray the weeds, Metal rake to the ground to rough it up and throw the no till or clover on the dirt directly before a heavy rain. And most of my plots are in clearings in the woods with limited sunlight. Works for me.
There are two blends I recommend for shady areas. However, keep in mind that regardless of plant type you still need SOME sunlight to make things grow. I recommend either Grandpa Ray Outdoors Inner Sanctum or Logging Trails. Inner Sanctum is dynamite in those little inner core food plots! Now just add some water near it, and you got quite the setup!
I recommend clover from the local feed mill, get a mix of all the clover they sell it will work for you. If there is a picture of a buck on the package you are over paying.
Throw and grow plots are great for shady and wood areas. Always bring some deer in Sent from my SM-G892A using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
Not to “Hijack” this post but if you choose clover... how many lbs for a 1/4 plot and what setting out of a broadcaster would you recommend? Can you over seed with clover?
Whatever you buy, it should say on the back. I'm getting ready to plant clover in September. The bag I have says a 5lbs bag for a 1/4 acre. But it is a mix of seeds also. It would be hard to over plant clover. Just follow instructions on the bag you get. Sent from my SM-G892A using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
