Food plots don’t have to be big, nor do you need a lot of equipment.
QUESTION: I have property to hunt in Chadds Ford, Pa. My question is, what type of food plot do you suggest for a shady area? — Darren
ANSWER: That’s really tough to answer without a lot more information. In order to give you accurate advice I’d need to know things like slope, aspect, soil moisture and intended size of the plot, just to name a few.
However, as you refer to shade, I’m going to assume you’re talking about a small plot in the woods. In that case I would suggest you go with one of the blends specifically designed for low-maintenance hide-away plots. Examples include Whitetail Institute’s No Plow, Secret Spot and Bow Stand and Evolved Harvest’s several Throw & Gro varieties.
Planting requires minimal effort. Begin by clearing the ground of duff and leaves with a rake of leaf blower. I prefer a rake as it scratches the soil. Then broadcast the fertilizer and seed, either by hand or with a hand-held spreader.
An area of 400 (20x20) square yards calls for one 50-pound bag of Triple-19 fertilizer and three to four pounds of seed. Obviously you’ll need more of both for a larger area. Finally, walk over the area a few times to tamp down the soil. This promotes better seed-to-soil contact and enhances germination. If you want bigger plots but don’t own any heavy equipment you can use an ATV and small implements.