Sooner; I mentioned the cherries to show that you can even grow plants that need good drainage on the side of hills in clay. Cherries need about a zone 6 to bear but they won't take more than about -20 F in the winter. Their touchiest part is that they bloom early and the blossoms won't take a frost. If it wasn't for lake Ontario we wouldn't have a fruit belt in Niagara. The lake slows the season in the spring, extends it in the fall and moderates it during the winter. I don't know that deer like cherries. Now I know they love mulberries and that they'd be hardy where you're located.

From what most people on this forum will tell you: if everyone has wheat, you should plant corn, oats, rye or canola (rape). Something different to draw them in. I think it was Lunchbucket who mentioned that he'd never shot a deer with a belly full of only corn. The deer will eat other foods to make up their nutrient needs. No animal would last long eating only one plant.

Dan O.