Food Plots Late Season Leaf Problems - what to plant?

[GKG]

Looking for some advice on what to plant, knowing that my food plot it on a middle-TN ridge surrounded by big trees ... and gets a lot of leaves that fall down on the plot, later in the fall. By December of last year, there was nearly a complete covering of leaves on my plot and I think it smothered out a lot of my growth.

Any advice ... I was considering a perennial plot mix of Red Clover, Crimson Clover, White Latino Clover, Wheat and Oats. The soil is not very rich, but I did a soil test and I am good on Lime, but need more fertilizer.

Also, any Co-Op recommendations in the middle TN area, that have a strong selection of seed that will help me mix up what I need? Williamson, Davidson, Cheatham, Wilson, Rutherford are the counties I travel most.

Thanks for any opinions.

 

[muddyboots]

Leaves are tough. Only wAy I have gotten it too work is keep the leaves blown off.

 

[ADR]

Leaves are tough. Only wAy I have gotten it too work is keep the leaves blown off.

I have also planted earlier. Good part is with canopy the plot will get shade and if the plants are taller, they don't get choked out as easily.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I've yet to have any good luck at all with plots close to big trees. For one thing, the trees take a lot of water from the dirt around them and stunt the growth compared to open areas away from trees. However you can still get a fair amount of feed from these areas before leaves fall. Once that starts all my plots near big trees have been smothered out. If you bowhunt you can still get the benefits of a food plot early on in the season.