I recently attended a deer seminar by Purina and a seed company on food plots and supplemental feeding. I am looking at possibly buying some seed to plant in a wooded setting. The area were I plan to plant the seed was thinned out a while back due to gypsy moths. So it receives a good amount of sunlight. I do not plan on using lime or any other fertilizer. It is my understanding that some seeds will grow in just about any environment. Due to the location of the area I want to plant a couple test food plot areas, it is very hard to get to, that is why I am not using any lime or fertilizer. I just plan on raking a small areas to run a test. I have heard ladina clover and trefole grews well in a wide variety of conditions. I also plan on using several varieties of clover. I will be planting this in Southwestern PA - Bedford County

Thanks,

Kevin

The question you are asking is asked on this site a bazillion times. I started here with the very same question. Please take the advice of a guy who has tried lots of stuff. Get a soil sample. You will save yourself a lot of frustration, money and time. Don't be in such a hurry to fail. There is a lot more to it than scratching around with a rake and throwing down seed. terry

if you plan on raking the area, you must intend to spend some time and effort to work the soil. the effort to carry a few lbs of fertilizer is just a fraction of the effort it will take to work the soil by hand. from a coop, 48% N is $5 for about 50 lbs, so is 44% P and 60% K.

if your just going to rake the ground you will probably have better results with rye than clovers.

do a soil test. if the pH is so bad (<5.5) then it it will do little good to plant clovers. if you can get a 4wheeler to the site you can get lime, etc. to the site (semi-easily). like the others said, don't waste money, a soil test will tell you if you should move on to a next step.

also of note, I have planted and "plot" on logging roads in my woods (i limed & fertilized, etc.) and it came in great. However, there are areas where the seeding has been smothered by falling leaves. point is - plant in fairly open areas

Even Gypsy moth infested trees will not offer enough sunlight for a clover planting in an open hardwoods. A fall (sept) planted rye or Winter wheat might work to attract a few deer though.