How To Start New Food Plot

I am clearing two, 1/2 ac areas in my hardwoods for food plots. The only machinery/tools I have and will use are tiller,weed eater,rake,blower,spreader.

I plan to do soil tests in a few weeks at the end of deer season and lime the plots per the reports. (I am assuming a low ph because of all the leaves on the ground)

I am looking at doing a clover only or clover mix (any suggestions?)

What is the process from now until next deer season to get these plots ready in time for archery opening? I assume lime it asap then fertilize/plant in the spring?
Any help is appreciated.

Make sure you have enough sunlight for that small of a plot.

We have a few 1/4 plots that are surrounded by tall hardwoods. They drop a lot of leaves and block a lot of sunlight. These plots never do well. If possible, I would try to avoid having taller trees on the south end of the plot if possible.

If it ain't in pines the pH will be better. Pine needles lower the pH leaves are much better for the soil. Light is you friend and you can actually grow a field without the tiller.

I use a blower once or twice a year to blow off my “micro” plots on the hardwoods

Clear trees, rake/ burn leaves, spray for weeds and grass. Let sit for 10-14 days then rake and apply Lyme, spray again. Wait 10-14 days rake and spread a thicker layer of seed than the bag says. Start this with the plan to plant seed before the first rain in October. I used a mix of wheat, oats, clover and some brassica. When the leaves fall on it you may have to take them off gently.
YouTube poormans plot and you will get some good stuff from Midwest whitetail and Grant woods.

I appreciate you laying it out like that. That’s what I was looking for. I have researched and researched micro plots and poor mans plots. The problem I have is contradicting info. For instance, you say spread lime and rake then plant about two weeks later. Other places say to spread then till/disc because it takes months for line to raise the ph. Will this be green and ready for middle of oct. when archery opens? Any way I could go ahead and plant soon to give them some spring/summer food to eat then overseed before october? Thanks.

Lime takes almost a year to take effect. Don't overthink it or get bogged down in the details. Kill the existing vegetation by spraying and/or tillage and dump a bunch of seed and fertilizer out there. It'll sprout.

You could use fast acting lime if release time is a major concern...a bit pricey.

Whitetail institute imperial clover is the best if you can meet its requirements.

That’s what I was looking at getting. Their planting times say one time during feb-mar then again in sept-oct. how fast does this stuff come up good? For best results in mid oct, should I rush for the early planting or apply lime now and let it work till September?

Anything I should add to the clover the first season to help it along? I have seen people say clover plots are weak their first year.

Your wasting time and money planting WI clover until you get the Ph right.

Brad's right. Get your soil amended and plant annuals the first year or two until your soil is right, then plant your perrenials. I like planting 100lbs/ acre of cereal rye with clover to act as a nurse crop the first year.

Go to Whitetail Institute tutorials ..they want you to succeed.

I planted 2 acres of corn and watched deer in the first of January walk through the corn (bush hogged some of it) to get to the clover. It was the first planting in spring of clover and it was limed (paper mill by product soil test recommendation 2 tons per acre) ) only a month before on hayfield ground that held some moisture. Seedbed prep and proper planting techniques for clover makes the plot. Cultipacker is a must.

Important for clover... moisture, PH, fert., soil prep, timing, seed depth, sun, maintenance. Good seed (WI) fist of all.

To quickly raise the PH, you can use Sol-u-cal, or my favorite is the Jonathan Green Magi-cal. Now these don't keep the PH high like lime will for a long period of time, but they do it quickly. The bag is around $65 shipped from amazon and will do 15,000 sq ft. You could toss that out when you plant and it will last through hunting season. If you are in hardwoods, you may be surprised that the PH isn't bad. Pines are what drops the PH. Optimum PH is 6-7 but a lot of seeds will do fine in 5.6 and higher. I think crimson clover, rye grain, oats and wheat will do fine, the lack of sunlight will have an effect on the outcome, if its your property you an hinge cut some of the westward trees for more afternoon sun. That will also thicken up the edging to make a good transition. Do a search for what particular seed will do better in shade, if you can't find any, you could get some shade tolerant tall fescue to fool them to come out! I haven't ever heard of a deer eating fescue, but it'll be worth a shot!
Good luck!

WI has some good products, but are pricey for what you get. Your paying premium prices for their clover, but yet only a percentage of the bag has that clover in it. It has annual clover in it as well. A combination of durana and patriot clover does really well together.