CLOVER + CHICORY™
BUILT TO TAKE A BEATING.™
Clover + Chicory™ combines premium perennial clovers with rugged chicory to create a food plot built for heavy browsing, dry conditions, and years of dependable production. When deer pressure is high and conditions get tough, this blend keeps growing.
Perfect For
• High deer density
• Heavy browsing pressure
• Drought-prone properties
• Long-term perennial food plots
• Challenging soil conditions
• Full-sun locations
✔ Heavy Browse Tolerance
✔ Drought Resistant
✔ Multi-Year Production
✔ Proven At The Testing Grounds™
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CLOVER + CHICORY™
SIX REASONS HUNTERS PLANT CLOVER + CHICORY™
WHEN CONDITIONS GET TOUGH, THIS PLOT KEEPS PRODUCING.
Handles Heavy Browse
Chicory recovers quickly after grazing, while perennial clovers continue producing fresh forage even under intense deer pressure.
Thrives in Dry Weather
Deep-rooted chicory helps the plot stay productive during hot, dry conditions when many food plots begin to struggle.
High-Protein Nutrition
Premium perennial clovers and chicory provide highly digestible, protein-rich forage that supports antler growth, fawn development, and overall herd health.
Built To Last
With proper fertility and maintenance, Clover + Chicory™ can remain productive for years, reducing the need for frequent replanting.
Extend Seasonal Forage
Clover and chicory complement one another to provide
quality forage across multiple seasons, keeping deer returning long after
annual plots have faded.
Preforms Where Others Struggle
From drought-prone fields to high-pressure food plots, this blend is designed to remain productive in the kinds of conditions that challenge traditional perennial plantings.
IS CLOVER + CHICORY™ THE RIGHT CHOICE?
What To Expect
FROM FAST ESTABLISHMENT TO YEARS OF TOUGH PERFORMANCE.
7-14 Days
Rapid Germination
The annual clover establishes rapidly, providing early green forage while the perennial clover and chicory begin developing strong root systems.
30-60 Days
Growing Attraction
The plot fills in with lush, highly palatable forage as the perennial species become firmly established and begin driving long-term productivity.
Spring
Built For Pressure
As temperatures rise and browsing pressure increases, deep-rooted chicory and perennial clover continue producing quality forage when many food plots begin to decline.
Years 2-5
Long-Term Nutrition
With proper fertility, mowing, and weed management, Clover + Chicory™ continues producing protein-rich forage season after season, supporting herd health while reducing replanting costs
WHAT'S INSIDE CLOVER + CHICORY™
EVERY INGREDIENT HAS A PURPOSE
Every species was selected to perform a specific job—working together to provide exceptional nutrition, drought tolerance, and
years of dependable forage production.
A high-quality perennial clover that delivers exceptional protein, outstanding palatability, and years of dependable forage production.
Quick-growing annual clover that provides early forage while the perennial stand becomes fully established.
Deep-rooted, drought-tolerant chicory adds durability, recovers quickly from heavy browsing, and helps extend forage production through stressful conditions.
Built To Last. Craved On Sight.™
Plant At The Right Time For Dependable Fall Success.
Where & When To Plant
Zone 1: October - November
Zone 2: September - October
Zone 3: Late August - October
Zone 4: Mid August - Late September
Zone 5: September - October
Zone 6: Late July - August
PLANTING RULE
• Soil temperatures below 70°F and falling
• Plant 45-60 days before your area's average first frost
• Plant just ahead of a soaking rainfall
Planting windows are general guidelines and may vary by local elevation, climate, and seasonal weather conditions.
Planting At A Glance
Coverage
Up To 1/2 Acre
Planting Depth
1/4"
Planting Method
Broadcast or Drill
Sunlight
Full Sun
Soil Ph
6.2 - 7.0
Moisture
Moderate
Common Mistakes
✗ Neglecting mowing and weed control
✗ Skipping soil test
✗ Allowing weeds to compete during establishment
✗ Planting in heavy shade
✗ Planting too deep
✗ Skipping fertilizer
✗ Overgrazing young stands before they're fully established
View Full Planting Instructions
PREPARATION
Start with a clean, weed-free seedbed by spraying or tilling existing vegetation. Create a firm seedbed with good seed-to-soil contact to maximize germination and stand establishment.
SOIL TEST & FERTILITY
Conduct a soil test whenever possible and adjust soil pH to 6.2–7.0. Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. For best
results, use Backwoods Fuel™ Brassicas + Clover fertilizer at planting to
support healthy establishment of both clover and chicory.
PLANTING RATE
Broadcast (Prepared Seedbed): 10 lbs/acre
Broadcast (No-Till): 12 lbs/acre
Drill: 7 lbs/acre
PLANTING DEPTH
Plant ¼ inch deep or less. When broadcasting, lightly cultipack or roll the seed into the soil. Do not bury seed deeper than ¼ inch, as shallow placement is critical for successful establishment.
TIMING
Plant approximately 45–60 days before your area's average first frost, once soil temperatures have cooled below 70°F. This gives the perennial stand time to establish before winter dormancy and positions it for vigorous growth the following spring.
MOISTURE
Plant into adequate soil moisture or immediately before a soaking rainfall. Consistent moisture during establishment promotes rapid germination and healthy root development.
ADJUSTING FOR PLS & GERMINATION
Recommended planting rates assume 100% Pure Live Seed (PLS) and 100% germination. Actual seed quality varies by lot. To determine an adjusted planting rate, divide the recommended seeding rate by the PLS percentage multiplied by the germination percentage, both expressed as decimals. Adjusting for PLS and germination helps ensure proper stand density, vigorous establishment, and years of productive forage.
Build Your Complete Hunting Program
Step 1: Build Fertility
Step 2: Plant CLOVER + CHICORY™
Step 3: Increase Attraction
Step 4: Supplement Your Herd
Step 5: Increase Mineral Intake
Step 6: Reliable Feed Delivery
Step 7: Spring Overseed
EVERY PRODUCT MUST EARN THE BACKWOODS® NAME.
Nothing earns the Backwoods® name until it proves itself in the field.
Every Backwoods® food plot, attractant, mineral, supplement, and feeder is developed and evaluated under real hunting conditions—not just test plots or research stations.
If it doesn't perform for us, it never reaches your property.
We don't build products to sell. We build products we trust enough to use ourselves.
Tested by hunters. Proven by deer.
At The Testing Grounds™
• Hundreds of acres evaluated
• Year-round field testing
• Real hunting pressure
• Properties in multiple regions
• Trail camera monitored
• Product performance documented
NOT SURE WHICH PLOT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Best High-Pressure Perennial Blend
Best For: Properties with heavy browsing pressure, drought-prone conditions, or land managers who need a rugged perennial food plot that keeps producing year after year.
Best Dual-Season Food Plot Blend
Best For: Hunters who want immediate fall attraction while establishing a long-lasting perennial food plot that continues producing for years.
Best Premium Perennial Nutrition Blend
Best For: Land managers focused on maximizing year-round nutrition with a premium perennial blend designed for long-term herd health.
Best Easy-Establishment Perennial Blend
Best For: Hunters looking for a simple, dependable perennial clover blend that's easy to establish and provides consistent nutrition season after season.
Real Plots. Real Deer. Real Results.
PROVEN IN THE REAL WORLD
Every photo on this page comes from real Backwoods® food plots planted and evaluated at The Testing Grounds™ and on customer properties across the country. No stock photography. No staged results. Just real-world performance.
Know Before You Grow
How long will Clover + Chicory™ last?
With proper soil fertility, pH management, mowing, and weed control, Clover + Chicory™ can remain productive for 3–5 years or more. Annual maintenance is far less expensive than replanting every season, making it an excellent long-term investment.
Can I plant Clover + Chicory™ by itself?
Yes. Clover + Chicory™ is designed to be planted alone as a complete perennial food plot. The combination of perennial clovers and chicory provides outstanding nutrition, durability, and long-term forage production
without requiring additional seed.
When is the best time to plant Clover + Chicory™?
Plant approximately 45–60 days before your area's average first frost, once soil temperatures have dropped below 70°F. This allows the perennial stand to establish strong root systems before winter and produce vigorous growth the following spring.
How much sunlight does Clover + Chicory™ need?
For best performance, plant in areas receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Full sun produces thicker stands, greater forage production, and better long-term persistence.
Will Clover + Chicory™ survive heavy browsing?
Yes. This blend was specifically designed for properties with high deer populations and intense browsing pressure. Chicory recovers rapidly after grazing, while perennial clovers continually produce new growth throughout the growing season.
How drought tolerant is Clover + Chicory™?
Very drought tolerant. Antler Chicory develops a deep taproot that continues accessing moisture long after shallow-rooted forages begin to struggle. Combined with durable perennial clovers, this blend remains productive through many periods of dry weather.
How do I keep my perennial plot productive for years?
Maintain soil fertility through regular soil testing, keep pH between 6.2 and 7.0, mow periodically to control weeds and stimulate new growth, and fertilize according to soil test recommendations. A little annual
maintenance can keep the plot producing for several seasons.
What fertilizer should I use?
For best results, apply fertilizer according to a soil test. When a soil test isn't available, Backwoods Fuel™ Brassicas + Clover
provides an excellent nutrient package for establishing and maintaining perennial clover and chicory food plots.
Can I frost-seed Clover + Chicory™ into an existing stand?
Yes. Thin perennial stands can often be rejuvenated by frost-seeding during late winter, allowing freezing and thawing cycles to work seed into the soil naturally. Frost-seeding is an effective way to extend the
life of an established plot without completely replanting it.
How often should I mow Clover + Chicory™?
Mow only as needed to suppress weeds, generally when weeds begin growing above the forage. Avoid removing more than one-third of the forage height at a time, and never mow during periods of severe drought or extreme heat stress.