92xj Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 Is there anything out there that will grow, in the Spring and the Fall, under a leafy canopy? I have an area about 15'x45' that I want to plant something this year once the snow melts but the area gets very little direct sun light. Maybe a few hours a day. The Spring and Fall plot do not have to be the same. Also, clearing the canopy is not an option. Anyone have any ideas? And where to buy from? Dont we have a feed and seed person on here? Help me please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 I'd go with a clover blend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) I see this type question a lot on here and other forums. Clovers would be the best choice. One of my favorites is " Forrested Trail " from www.heartlandwildlifeinstitute.com Anything you plant should get at least 3 hours direct sunlight. 4 or more would be better. You would be better off cutting back the trees which are providing the canopy if you can. Do a soiltest. No doubt the soil is a low PH. You will probably have to add lime to get the PH # up. There are also quite a few No-Till seed blends out there. Clean the area of loose debris with hand tools, scratch the surface up, lime the dirt, add some fertilizer, work the lime and fert. in and spread the seed. Like anything else, you only get as much out of something as you put into it ( read my signature ). I'm not a big fan of the toss around seeds. Good Luck, Lynn Edited February 2, 2012 by LETMGROW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Evolved Harvest Clover Crush works well and for spring and fall. Some extremely shade tolerant clovers don't handle the cold well. An annual that works alright here in the new england area is Crimson clover. BancWhite and Colenso clover have also worked well up here. It's important to have blends that grow stronger during different times of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I have had really good luck with with Evolved Habitats Throw and Grow for a fall plot in the shade. The sweet ryegrass in the blend seems to be very shade tolerant. It also has a brassica blend in it--while I do get some growth with the brassica they are very stunted due to the low sunlight they receive. I have never had much luck with any warm season blends planted in the shade. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted February 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks guys. Will let you know what I decide and plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) Please do let us know. The blend I suggested is a perennial planting. Mine was planted in 2007 and is still going strong however it will probably get turned over and replaced with the same thing this spring. I have a vehicle path right down the middle of the planting. This stuff loves abuse. It keeps coming back even when it has been trampled to the soil. Some of the nicest clovers I have and the deer like it. 'nuff said. Lynn Edited February 10, 2012 by LETMGROW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestKyTeacher Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 So what did you plant and how did it turn out? I cleared out about (2) one acre plots in the middle of my woods with a small 450 dozer trail connecting them to encourage deer travel. Is clover still my best choice or could I put something else in them? I already have another acre plot by one of them that has clover and it grows well. Also, Letmgrow, that website doesn't list Forrested Trail any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 So what did you plant and how did it turn out? I cleared out about (2) one acre plots in the middle of my woods with a small 450 dozer trail connecting them to encourage deer travel. Is clover still my best choice or could I put something else in them? I already have another acre plot by one of them that has clover and it grows well. Also, Letmgrow, that website doesn't list Forrested Trail any more. How many hours of sunlight do you get? I think your best bet is a white clover and try to plant in the fall or frost seed it late winter. With no leaf canopy in the trees you will get a head start on the young clover before the leaves start shading out the clover. The head start will allow and better root system then if planted mid-spring. As far as a cereal grain I think rye grain would be your best bet. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestKyTeacher Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 I get 4+ hours on most of it, less along each side next to the woods. Another question, what is the main difference between ladino and white clover? Will any white clover do or do you have a certain variety I should use? Thanks, again Doc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 So what did you plant and how did it turn out? I cleared out about (2) one acre plots in the middle of my woods with a small 450 dozer trail connecting them to encourage deer travel. Is clover still my best choice or could I put something else in them? I already have another acre plot by one of them that has clover and it grows well. Also, Letmgrow, that website doesn't list Forrested Trail any more. It is under Food Plots - perennials http://www.heartlandwildlifeinstitute.com/shopping/forested-trail-blend-FT45.aspx Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 I get 4+ hours on most of it, less along each side next to the woods. Another question, what is the main difference between ladino and white clover? Will any white clover do or do you have a certain variety I should use? Thanks, again Doc. I don't know all the different varieties of white clovers but they are broken down into small, medium, and large. Ladino is in the large group and is the most common used in food plotting. But to answer your question I think any white would work. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestKyTeacher Posted June 26, 2014 Report Share Posted June 26, 2014 Okay, so I planted wheat last fall and it is completely destroyed. The ground is still has some roots and is really rough from the dozer work. So I was thinking of working it up and putting in a couple varieties of food plots in for this season. Then putting the clover in during a frost or snow. What should I plant for this deer season, winter peas, wheat, turnips, or something else? When should I plant it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 27, 2014 Report Share Posted June 27, 2014 Might try some wintergrazer rye, the stuff grows anywhere and will hold up to deer pressure. Not sure about how peas do in shade, but winter peas are definitely a good draw if you can keep the birds(turkeys and crows) from eating your seed as it sprouts. Usually get good results here with winter wheat when the seed gets a chance, but have had issues with birds there too. West Ky, is pretty close to us, not sure where you are. Brassicas are no good here, but may be ok where you are, dunno would ask others around you who have planted them about how the deer do with them. Tried pretty well every type brassica plant, and the only time the deer touch them are the first few days after a good hard frost, then they will walk through them to eat pasture grass. They don't touch the bulbs here radish, beets, turnips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 I agree with William in planting rye grain. Great for the soil and stands up to good pressure. It is a little more cold tolerant than wheat so it will grow a little longer and just as palatable. You might try tossing in some forage radishes. The deer really like the greens and the deep radishes is great for the soil. Red clover is another option to toss in the with both the rye and the radishes. good luck todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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