Small Food Plot ?
 

What would be good to plant in a 20x20 area?
I won't be able to till because it would kill the trees close by.
It will be shaded, and sunny.

Thank You.

jrbsr

I'm putting together a woods plot blend for that exact situation that I will have ready by fall.

If you want to mix it yourself, it will have ladino clover, crimson clover, winter rye, and forage rape. The clovers will be pre-inoculated. All will grow in acidic soil and light shade. No ryegrass fillers like the others on the market.

I forgot to add that green briers, the ones with the big thorns grow there really well.
I cut them with a push mower to clear a spot for a small food plot.
It is on the North West side of a creek.
So who else has any suggestions on what to plant?
That would be good for now.
Thank You.

Some one has to have an opinion on this.

Sounds like a very small plot. If you have a large population of deer and no protection around it the deer will probably slick it off about as fast as it comes up.

Whats your objective with a 20x20 food plot?

A 20x20 foot food plot is not very big. Considering this, I would suggest keeping the natural growth in check throughout the summer and about 3 weeks prior to your hunting season plant a mixture of med red clover (or equivalent), spring oats, and winter rye grain.

It will take them a little while to find this small plot but they may stop and take a few bites while headed to their feeding destination or bedding area. You are using this as a kill plot correct? Your biggest hurdle will be getting enough light. Can you hinge or cut any trees around to let in more light?

Either way amend your soil with lime and add some tripple 13.

I agree with smallplot ........

Clover and Chicory will replenish itself...I would recomend planting that.If You could mow a little bigger spot and put more clover down.

I have a 50 x 60 area and i exclusively plant clover. It is pretty shaded and i did not fertilize this year but it is really spotty so i am going to replant and fertilize this weekend.

Here is what it looks like.
I might go, and mow it bigger.

There is a lot of tree coverage there. Another concern will be the leaf fall. This can cause a plot to fail as well.

Size of food plots is an often ask question. First you have to ask yourself what are you establishing the plot for. I recommend one to five acres with nut trees (oak & chestnut), selected grasses, planted grains and clover. If you are planting nut trees chestnut would be a good choice because you should have ample nuts in 5 - 7 years. Also you may find you like to eat chestnuts. They need to be place in the refrigerator for 72 hours to sweeten up prior to eating, either raw or cooked. You would need a least two trees to have nuts. Some Walmart stores sell chestnut trees. Chestnut Hills Farms has a listing that sell their trees. This is for year round feeding of deer, turkey, quail and local dove. If setting up just for the hunting season and targeting deer an area of 1/4 to 1/2 acre may work. I planted a food plot along my power line which would be approximately 1/2 area with oats, winter wheat and clover. The deer, mostly does and fawns, ate it as fast as the growth emerged from the ground. Smaller plots can be eaten out to fast to maintain deer in the area. Planting a larger plot with availability of food year round keeps wildlife in the area and gives you the opportunity to observe wildlife or use a plot camera to determine what is using your plot.