We've been trying a variety of plants in out .75 acre plot throughout the years (we've done basic rye, clover, alfalfa, corn, turnips last year, etc). This year, our first planting is clover with rye coming up from last year. It seems to be doing well, but we like to split the field up into two plantings. One is for spring/summer/early fall feeding, with another planting to occur in August for Fall/Winter feeding. The turnips last year were hammered, but only once all other food sources in the area were depleted (about mid December they started hitting it hard). We decided to go back to basics with a clover/rye combo for now, but I'm wondering what else you would suggest?

We're in Northcentral PA, plot is on a southern facing slope, recieves more than adequet sunshine, and although the PH hasn't been tested for a few years, we suspect it's probably close to 6-6.1 as it's been limed every year since the test (our test indicated we were quite acidic at the time). All of our plantings in the past years have done very well, we're just looking for an ideal plot plant that will attract deer AND turkey's. The latter of which has been a struggle for us to keep on the property, so turkey attraction is a must.

Any opinions/thoughts are appreciated.

As far as the turkeys go, there is nothing like chufa. Im using it this year but have been warned of its attractant to bugs. Mine doesnt show any unusual bug infestation but its still early spring. I will plan on pesticide maybe later on.

Im in VA, so Im just a bit south of ya.

Good luck... and dont let your seeds get soaked like mine have in the last week!

I don't like rye that much in a food plot. It seems to me that the deer graze on oats or wheat better than rye. I planted Yuchi Arrowleaf Clover with a little Crimson Clover on top of my fall Buck Forage Oats about5 years ago and every fall when I disc in the plot for the fall planting it turns the clover seed in and they come up about early January. Then I have my spring supplementalclover ready to go without having to replant it. There is so much available natural browse in the summer for deer I don't see amuch usage of plots after natural stuff starts leafing out and I don't bother bush hogging the clover in the summer. The clover for me is just a little something for the fresh bred does and rutted out bucks to have in early spring/late winter.

Thanks, we'll see how the clover does, but I really want a supplement for the fall/winter as well. I've thought about Oats, but can they be planted in August provided they recieve enough rain? I thought about Beans, but they'll be picked over before season, although they would provide great nutrition during the summer.

Thanks. Can't say I've ever heard of Chufa before. However, I'm not really into having to apply pesticides or take a chance on needing any, so I may avoid that.


Any other options out there? I just didn't have great luck with the brassica/turnips this past season UNTIL december-february when it proved to be a great winter food source.

If you only have .75 acres of beans they won't last long if you have many deer. Chufas aresort of a hybrid nut grass that turkeys love.. You will have to check your local planting dates on the oats.

Iron Clay Peas, I would mix them with some wheat so they dont get totally hammered. I live in GA and I have planted that for years, it grows good in the fall and the deer down here love those iron clay peas.