Small food plot

[ptdecoys]

Hey guys I'm new here and looking for some opinion.

I would like to make a small food plot by my hunting spot but I'm not sure if anything would grow there. I hunt in 7R, its all woods but I clened up an area about 100 yards x 20 yards.. I'm concerned about the area not getting enough sunlight b/c there are some tall trees around it. Dose anyone of you have any sucess with little snack plots like that? Where we hunt there are no farms for deer to feed on so I tought it would be good to put small snack patch like that. Let me know what seed would be good to plant there. I will do soil test with one of those Loews soil test kits.

Thank you.

[G-Man]

you maybe could get some clover to grow or rye grass, you need to get an idea how much sun it does/will get. 4-5 hrs of sun will do. it might get enough depending on how it is positioned n/s or e/w 20 yards is not that wide so if canopy is growing over it ,if you really want it you may need to trim back a tree or two.

[WNYBuckHunter]

Ive had Ok luck using Throw and Grow in the shade. If you can thin the branches out on the trees around it a bit, it will help alot.

[ptdecoys]

Never tought about cutting branches off they are pretty high maybe i can use my climber to trim few off. I will try it out maybe I will plan it around memorial weekend. If it works i will make few more patches around that area.

[Fantail]

Lowes sells soil test kits? It's the same place I bought a decent pole trimmer/saw fiberglass handle etc., extends to about 20`, maybe something like that & a day will open it up. Did something similar to a new plot in 6k, opened it up. Tilled it as well, first pass found alot of roots of course but maybe your area isn't as rocky either.

Oh yeah & don't use spectracide if you want any broadleaf.

Edited March 13, 2012 by Fantail

[ptdecoys]

Yes I got my test kit at lowes, you need to use distilled water for the test. You get all the instructions on how to use it.. also youtube has some info as well..

[Suilleabhain]

Small is better than none. Check around online and find some plants that will suit your sun and soil. We have three spots from like an acre and a half down to 1/4 acre. Apples in one but they haven't taken well, I'm putting in hawthorn this year and the large plot is half rye/clover and half turnip. They ate all teh turnip this winter