RE: food plot concern
THE FIRST THING I THINK OF WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU HAVE FERNS IS INADEQUATE SUNLIGHT. MORE THAN LIKELY THOUGH, YOU HAVE SOILTHATIS "SOUR". THE pH IS TOO LOW (ACIDIC) AND THEREFORE YOUR PLANTS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME DRAWING NUTRIENTS. (WHICH ARE PROBABLY ON THE LOW SIDE ANYWAYS.)
DID YOU LIME AND FERTILIZE THE SOIL FIRST (SOIL TEST)??
AND HOW MUCH RAIN FALL HAVE YOU HAD??
DID YOU EVER CONSIDER MAYBE JUST GROWING MARIGOLDS??
(JUST KIDDING.....)