Another possibility would be to plant a mix. Oats and field peas is one. The oats will probably get killed if it is a very cold winter, but if so you wont need to use no chemicals. From what I have been reading, some parts of PA, especially in the mountains has a low deer population. That could factor in not having to much pressure on something like oats and peas in plots that size. Just an idea. If you follow Soilmans recommendation you wont go wrong either.