Food-Plot Basics: 11 Great Crops to Plant This Year

To those who haven’t embarked on the food plotting journey, just getting started can seem intimidating. After all, if you’re not a farmer, who are you to be growing plants with any sort of success?

Here’s the secret, though: While farming is most certainly difficult, planting food plots for deer is not. Sure, there’s a learning curve. And there will absolutely be failures. But these aren’t reasons to forgo the noble effort of providing better habitat and hunting opportunities. Turn some soil and get your hands dirty with one or more of the following crops.

ALFALFA

A common agricultural crop, alfalfa is a hot option for whitetails. Deer love this legume and often choose it over other popular options. Furthermore, the perennial comes loaded with upwards of 25- to 30-percent protein. Unfortunately, alfalfa is among the ficklest of food plot species. It’s difficult to grow and requires optimal soil to do well. While a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 can work, it really needs to be up around 6.8 to 7.0 to maximize growing potential. When seeding, broadcast about 19 to 20 pounds per acre; if drilling, 17 to 18 pounds should do. However, don’t plant less than 2 to 3 acres of alfalfa, as it can easily become over-browsed.

ALYCE CLOVER

This warm-season annual is a legume, like actual clovers, but doesn’t technically belong in the clover family, as it does not have a trifoliate leaf. Rather, it has elongated leaves, and the plant can reach 3 feet tall or more. At about 20 percent protein (oftentimes higher), deer are sure to benefit from it. Aside from overly wet soils, Alyce clover does well in a wide range of soil types and conditions. That said, the pH should be at least 6.0 for best growth. Seed at rates of approximately 18 to 20 pounds per acre when broadcasting and 12 to 14 pounds per acre when drilling.

BEETS

Beets provide leafy tops and large roots for deer to feed on. These offer 20 percent sucrose, moderate protein (about 9 to 10 percent) and high carbohydrates. Beets make excellent deer forage throughout much of the Northeast, Midwest and upper Mid-South. Prep a good seed bed with well-drained, loamy soil. A soil pH between 6.0 to 6.8 is ideal. Broadcast or drill at appropriate seeding rates, which is roughly 10 pounds per acre and 8 pounds per acre, respectively. Plant beets approximately half an inch to 1 inch deep. Beets are a drawing card well into the winter months.

BUCKWHEAT

A tall-growing forage, buckwheat is an excellent option for whitetails. Mind you, this is nothing like traditional wheat. Rather, it’s a tall-growing, warm-season forb with a long stem and leaves. This annual is an excellent food plot selection, reaching 3 to 4 feet in height (often slightly taller) and boasting approximately 20 percent protein.

Buckwheat is another great option for lesser soil types and quality. It even does acceptably well in poorer climate conditions. That said, pH above 6.0 is best. If drilling, plant about 40 to 50 pounds per acre; if broadcasting, seed about 50 to 60 pounds per acre. Plant no deeper than 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch.

CEREAL RYE

One of the hardiest food plot species, cereal rye (winter rye) is an excellent option for those who plan to plant a food plot for the first time. Perhaps you cleared an area for a new plot. Maybe it’s been an overgrown, fallow field. Regardless, winter rye is an excellent first planting option. It helps build organic matter in the soil and improve overall soil health. Additionally, it’s ideal for areas with poorer soil quality and can thrive even when soil pH and soil composition aren’t the best. It remains relatively hardy into winter. Cereal rye is excellent for feeding deer throughout the November-to-January timeframe. At approximately 15- to 16-percent protein, it isn’t tops in that nutritional category, but it certainly offers moderate carbohydrate levels during the time of year deer need it most. Because it’s a grass species, seeding rates are significantly higher than other plants. Oftentimes, if drilling, 60 to 70 pounds per acre should do the trick. If broadcasting, kick it up to about 100 pounds per acre. Plant seeds approximately 1 inch deep or slightly deeper.

CHICORY

Chicory is one of the more popular options among deer hunters and land managers. It does prefer full sunlight and well-drained soil, but tolerates different soil types. This perennial is usually 25- to 30-percent protein. It’s also high in other nutrients, such as calcium and potassium.

Oftentimes, it’s best to broadcast about 5 to 7 pounds of seed per acre. If drilling, plant about 3 to 5 pounds per acre. Seeds should be planted approximately 1/4-inch deep. All things considered, it should provide a nice, thick stand of forage for deer this fall.

CLOVER

Perhaps the most popular option for food plots, clover is an excellent plot crop. The most planted subspecies include crimson, red, white and Ladino clover. Less common members of the clover family include alsike, zigzag and trifolium. Each of these legumes are high in protein. Generally, clover does best within a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Seeding rates vary greatly between the subspecies, though. When broadcasting, plant Ladino and white clover at 2 to 3 pounds per acre, red clover at 10 to 12 pounds per acre, and crimson clover at 20 to 25 pounds per acre. If drilling, these numbers might drop somewhat. With all clover varieties, plant seeds approximately 1/4-inch deep.

OATS

Oats are among the best food plot species. Even so, some deer hunters and land managers overlook them as viable options. Oats serve as an excellent food source, especially in late fall and winter. It’s only about 15-to 18-percent protein, but is very high in carbohydrates. Plant oats at about 100 to 120 pounds per acre. Lightly disc them in to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. A half inch to an inch deep should be about right. Oats do well in various soil types.

RADISHES

Radishes, along with kale, rape and turnips, belong to the food plot group known as brassicas. Like other broadleaf plants, radishes provide heavy tonnage per acre, both in the form of leafy forage and root bulbs. The optimal pH is 6.0 to 7.0. Broadcast radishes at about 10 pounds per acre or drill about 8 pounds per acre. Plant seeds to a depth of about a quarter to half an inch. Ensure soils are well drained, as radishes don’t do well in very wet soil.

TURNIPS

One of the more popular modern options among land managers, turnips provide a lot of forage for deer during critical months of the year. This cool-season annual offers good protein levels and is also high in carbs. It’s highly attractive from late fall through early spring, effectively providing a hot food source during the most challenging months of the year. Turnips perform well with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Broadcast at about 9 to 10 pounds per acre, or drill 7 to 8 pounds per acre. Because turnip seeds are quite small, these should be planted no deeper than 1/4 inch.

WINTER PEAS

Lastly, winter peas are a great selection, too. This plant offers about 25-percent protein, which is incredible for deer. It can grow up to 4 feet tall, though slightly more in great soil conditions. Of course, winter peas prefer well-drained soils and need a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. When broadcasting, plant at approximately 40 to 50 pounds per acre and drill at about 25 to 35 pounds per acre. Cover seeds with about 3/4 of an inch to an inch of soil.

THE PLOT THICKENS

• The 5 steps to food plot success.

1. The first step is to kill all weeds and competition within the area where you want the plot to be. This can be done with an array of herbicides. Prescribed fire and strategic discing also work.
2. Conduct a soil test to determine the soil’s pH and measure its nutrient levels, which will determine the amount of lime and fertilizer needed to correct it.
3. Apply the fertilizer and lime as prescribed. This should amend poor soil pH and improve future plant growth. This can significantly enhance food plot yields.
4. Preparing a good seed bed is a must. Work deep into the ground to break up compacted soil. Smooth it out with a good disc. While you’re at it, disc that fertilizer into the soil, too.
5. Choose the right time to put seed to soil. Every food plot species has an acceptable planting time. This hinges on the plant species but also your planting zone. Understand both to time food plot seeding just right. Weather also impacts timing. When possible, plant just prior to a slow, soaking rain to improve seed-to-soil contact and germination.

---

This article was featured in the August issue of Game & Fish magazine. Click to subscribe.

---