splitnock.

I' m sure this came up before but here it goes again. I want to put a plot in but the only area I have access too is quite shady. Most of the trees are oaks which is usually good but last year we had a real late heavy frost and a very dry spring and there wern' t any acorns and with no food in the area the deer moved out. I want to plant this plot as a " just in case this happens again" hopefully it will hold the deer in there area. I' m looking for something that could handle alot but not total shade any help would be great thanks Cliff

Dan O.

Ginseng; It' ll keep you healthy, verile and maybe make you a few bucks to buy ammo.

Just kidding; the conditions that you' re asking about are very difficult (wet and shady). You could plant soft maples or cedar in the hope of developing a refuge. Maybe drop some more trees and let the brambles grow?

Swamp Oaks will handle the conditions and may keep the deer in the area or poplars will definitely thrive in the moisture. With any of these it' s going to be a few years before you reap the harvest.

Dan O.

1sagittarius

Bury the foodplot idea and go natural, work with what you have. Fertilize the oaks/trees/shrubs with some 20-20-20 or similar fertilizer, this will make the plants in the area grow and taste better. You could also try a controled/protected planting of Honeysuckle.