Planting a full shade food plot can be quite tricky. Many hunting areas may not receive as much sunlight, making them infeasible for plants that require sunny regions. Wooded areas that have a substantial tree cover may have full shade food plots. Plants that require a decent amount of sunlight may not grow well in such places. However, many plant species are ideal for full shade food plots. Generally, a full shade food plot will have a higher soil moisture content and better soil quality than a plot under direct sunlight. It is because the amount of evaporation will be lower due to the shade. Plants grown here require less water than the plots receiving direct sunlight. Although, the weather conditions in the area and the soil type and fertility levels also affect them.
Suitable Plants for Full Shade Food Plots
Here are a few great plant species that can thrive in full shade food plots.
Subterranean Clover
Subterranean Clover is an excellent option for a full shade food plot. It is a legume that flourishes in cool weather and grows well in the shade. Hunters who only want a single plant for their full shade food plots will find it suitable. You can never go wrong with Subterranean Clover.
Ladino Clover
Ladino Clover is a plant species that can flourish in areas that receive very little sunlight directly. It is suitable for the regions lying on the East coast of the US, extending all the way to Texas. Hunters may mix it with Subterranean Clover on their full shade food plot or plant Ladino Clover by itself.
Plantain
Plantain is a resilient plant species and ideal for full shade food plots. It has broad leaves and can flourish in a variety of environmental conditions, making it suitable for most hunting regions in the USA. Plantain thrives without requiring much direct sunlight and is great for full shade food plots.
Cereal Rye
Cereal Rye is another hardy plant that is fit for full shade food plots. It can thrive in harsh weather conditions and still yield excellent forage. The plant establishes a deep root and can minimize soil erosion, making it ideal for dry soil. It can be planted without specialized equipment. All it requires is weed removal and a little fertilizer. Cereal Rye can be mixed with one of the clover species for full shade food plots.
Winter Turnips
Winter Turnips are an excellent species for full shade food plots. Deer eat both the leaves and the taproots of the plant and digest them easily, making them ideal for the animals. Winter turnips are an annual plant that grows in the cool season. They can be sown in different soil types and both the northern and southern climates. Varieties of turnips that have rich leafy tops and smaller roots are ideal for full shade food plots.
Determining the Right Plants for Your Full Shade Food Plot
Hunters who are planting full shade food plots for the first time on the property should consider multiple plants, ideally four, instead of a single species. Their flourishing will depend on various factors like the amount of sunlight and rainfall received in addition to the moisture and nutrient content of the soil. Some plant species will flourish better than others. However, the same can’t be determined without actually planting them. By mixing multiple plants on a full shade food plot, hunters can watch them grow and determine which ones grow better on their full shade food plot. They can remove the plants that don’t do well in the following seasons.
There are premixed seed bags available for full shade food plots. They contain various types of seeds and are designed for different regions and weather conditions. Buyers can opt for one of these if they don’t want to mix seeds themselves.