Perennial food plot seed: what to plant and when it works

Last updated 2026-07-24

What is a food plot, and where does perennial seed fit in?

A food plot is a planted area on hunting land, usually a half acre to a few acres, grown specifically to attract and hold deer or provide them nutrition through part of the year. Landowners plant them on ag ground, cleared timber openings, or old logging roads, and they range from a quarter-acre kill plot tucked in the woods to a five-acre destination field. Food plots split into two broad categories: annuals and perennials. Annual plots (brassicas, cereal grains, soybeans, sorghum) live one growing season and need replanting every year. Perennial plots (clover, chicory, alfalfa) come back on their own for three to five years or more if you manage them right. Perennial seed is the better fit for plots you can reach with a mower a few times a year and where soil quality is decent to start. It's a poor fit for shaded, poorly drained ground or spots you can only visit once a season, because perennials lose the fight with weeds fast without upkeep. For a broader look at how food plots work across annual and perennial systems, see food plot whitetail and deer food plots.

Do deer like clover, and how does it compare to other perennials?

White/Ladino clover	3-5 years	Moderate	Fair	6-8 lb/acre
Red clover	2-3 years	Moderate	Fair	8-10 lb/acre
Chicory	3-5 years	Well-drained	Poor	4-6 lb/acre (in blend)
Alfalfa	4-6 years	Well-drained, low water table	Poor	15-20 lb/acre	Most land managers get better long-term results from a clover/chicory blend than any single species planted alone, because the chicory extends drought performance and the clover fills in fast.

Yes, deer eat clover readily and it's one of the most planted food plot species in North America. White clover and red clover both show up constantly in university plot trials and extension recommendations because deer use them heavily spring through fall, and they're relatively cheap and forgiving to establish ^[1]. Clover isn't a single plant, though. Ladino (a large-leaf white clover) tends to yield more and handle some shade, while red clover pushes taller growth and may hold up slightly better in dry years but doesn't persist as long. Alsike clover tolerates wetter soils. Chicory and alfalfa often get planted alongside clover in blends because chicory taproots pull moisture from deeper soil during drought and alfalfa adds protein and drought tolerance on well-drained sites. Here's a rough comparison of common perennial options: | Species | Typical stand life | Soil drainage need | Shade tolerance | Seeding rate (broadcast) |

When to plant food plots for deer, generally speaking?

Timing depends on whether you're planting a perennial, a cool-season annual, or a warm-season annual, and on your USDA plant hardiness zone. Perennial clover and chicory get planted in either early spring (as soon as soil temps hit the mid-40s to 50s F) or late summer to early fall (roughly 60 to 90 days before your first fall frost), giving small seedlings time to establish root systems before winter or before summer heat hits. Spring plantings in the North (zones 3-5) typically run April into May. Fall plantings for the same species in the Midwest and South (zones 5-7) often run mid-August through September. Extension guidance from Penn State recommends late summer seeding for clover in the Northeast to avoid competing with a full flush of summer weeds. Annual warm-season plots (soybeans, sorghum, corn) go in after your last frost date, generally May into June depending on latitude. Annual cool-season plots (brassicas, cereal grains) go in 60-90 days before first frost, similar to the perennial fall window but usually a bit earlier for brassicas since they need a longer maturity period. Check your local extension office's frost date tables before locking in a date. Frost dates vary by several weeks even within a single state, and planting a perennial too close to a hard freeze wastes seed and money.

When to plant clover for deer specifically?

Clover goes in either early spring or late summer, and both windows work, but late summer/early fall often gives better first-year weed control because summer annual weeds have mostly finished their life cycle by then. Aim for 45-60 days before your first expected frost so seedlings can root in before cold shuts down growth. Spring seeding works well too, especially in northern zones where fall windows are short. Plant as soon as the soil is workable and frost risk for hard freezes has passed, generally when soil temps are consistently above 45°F. Clover seed is tiny, so seed-to-soil contact matters more than planting depth. Broadcast onto a firm, weed-free seedbed and cultipack afterward, or drop it right before a light rain if you're broadcasting into an already-tilled area. Planting clover more than a quarter inch deep is a common mistake that kills germination rates.

When to plant oats for deer, and are they perennial or annual?

Oats are an annual, not perennial, but they get planted constantly alongside perennial clover as a nurse crop, so it's worth covering here. Oats go in during the same late-summer to early-fall window as clover, generally August through September depending on zone, because deer hit oats hard in fall and they mature fast (60-90 days to full growth) ^[2]. A lot of food plot mixes blend oats with clover seed specifically because the oats come up fast, give deer something to eat within a few weeks, and provide a light cover crop that shades out weed competition while the slower-germinating clover gets established underneath. By the time winter kills the oats, the clover has a head start. Spring oat plantings also work in northern climates for early-season attraction, but most whitetail managers lean toward fall oats because that's when deer show the strongest preference for them, likely tied to increased carbohydrate demand heading into winter.

When to plant turnips for deer, and how do they fit with perennials?

Turnips are annual brassicas, planted in the same late-summer window as most fall food plot annuals, generally 80-90 days before the first killing frost so bulbs and tops have time to mature ^[3]. In most of the whitetail's range that means a July or August planting date. Turnips don't reseed like perennial clover does, so they need replanting every year. Some hunters rotate turnip or brassica plots into a field one year, then follow with clover the next spring, using the brassica year to help suppress certain weed pressure and add organic matter before establishing the longer-lived perennial stand. Deer often ignore turnip leaves and bulbs early in the season, then hit them hard after a couple of frosts convert starches to sugars, making them sweeter. That's a real, well-documented pattern in extension literature on brassica plots, and it means turnip plots often look untouched in October and get hammered in December ^[3].

Do deer eat sorghum, and does it belong in a perennial plan?

Deer eat sorghum, particularly the grain heads once they mature, but it's a warm-season annual grain, not a perennial, and it's used more as a summer/fall food source or as cover and a pollinator/wildlife food source in bigger plantings. Grain sorghum planted for deer works similarly to corn: heads mature in fall and provide a high-carbohydrate food source into winter ^[4]. Sorghum isn't a common standalone food plot choice for small plots because it needs warm soil (planting typically waits until soil hits 60-65°F), decent fertility, and enough acreage to be worthwhile compared to soybeans or corn. It shows up more often in wildlife mixes for dove fields or as a nurse/screen crop bordering a perennial clover field, giving deer cover to approach the plot confidently. If you're planning a mixed-species property, sorghum can work as a screening strip around a perennial clover destination plot, but it's not a substitute for clover or chicory as the primary perennial draw.

What are deer's favorite foods, and how does that guide seed choice?

Deer preference studies and browse surveys consistently rank soft mast (acorns, apples), agricultural crops (soybeans, corn), and legumes (clover, alfalfa) high on the list, though actual preference shifts by season, region, and what's available naturally ^[5]. There's no single universal favorite; deer eat opportunistically and preference changes as nutritional needs shift through the year. In spring and summer, deer favor high-protein forages like clover and soybeans to support antler growth and lactation. In fall, they shift toward high-carbohydrate foods like acorns, corn, and brassica bulbs to build fat reserves for winter. This is why a lot of experienced plot managers plant a perennial clover field for spring/summer nutrition and pair it with an annual brassica or grain plot for fall/winter draw. Acorn crops vary heavily year to year, and in a big mast year deer will often ignore food plots entirely in favor of the woods. That's a normal, well-documented pattern, not a sign your plot failed.

Do deer like honey, and is it relevant to food plots at all?

There's no real evidence deer specifically seek out honey, and it isn't part of any standard food plot seed mix or wildlife feeding program that extension services or state agencies recommend. Deer are occasionally reported nosing around beehives or damaged combs, likely drawn to the wax or residual sugars rather than honey itself, but this isn't a documented feeding strategy and shouldn't be confused with legitimate attractants. Some commercial deer attractant products use sugar, molasses, or apple scent, which is a different category from food plot seed entirely, and several states restrict or ban baiting and supplemental feeding of deer, including scent-based or mineral attractants in certain seasons. Always check your state wildlife agency's current baiting and feeding regulations before using any attractant product, since rules vary by state and sometimes by county due to chronic wasting disease concerns.

How do you prep soil for a perennial plot that actually lasts?

Perennial seed is a bigger investment of time than annual seed, so soil prep matters more. Start with a soil test, since clover and alfalfa both want a pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range and will underperform badly on acidic ground below pH 5.5 . Lime takes months to fully react in the soil, so if your test comes back low, apply lime the season before you plant if you can. Clover and alfalfa also fix their own nitrogen through rhizobium bacteria in root nodules once established, so heavy nitrogen fertilizer isn't needed after the first year and can actually push weed growth harder than clover growth. Phosphorus and potassium matter more long-term for perennial stands, and your soil test report will give exact recommendations based on your specific field. Your soil test lab is the real authority here, not a general article. Follow their specific lime and fertilizer recommendations for your soil type and target crop, since regional soil chemistry varies enough that generic rates can waste money or under-correct a problem. If you want a plan built around your specific soil test results, zone, and acreage instead of generic advice, the $99 one-time Custom Food Plot Plan turns your soil test into a species and seeding plan matched to your property.

What equipment do you actually need to plant perennial seed well?

Perennial seed is small and shallow-planted, so seed-to-soil contact drives success more than horsepower. A disc or tiller to break ground, a cultipacker (or drag and roll with a section of chain-link fence and a full water barrel) to firm the seedbed, and a broadcast spreader (hand-crank for small plots, ATV-mounted for bigger acreage) cover most needs. A no-till drill is worth renting or borrowing if you have compacted ground or want tighter seed depth control, but it's not required for clover on a well-worked seedbed. What's not worth spending money on for perennials specifically: a full-size disc harrow if you're only planting a half-acre plot, since a hand tiller or ATV disc gets the job done at a fraction of the cost. Mowing equipment matters just as much as planting equipment for perennials. A brush hog or rotary mower to clip the plot 2-3 times per growing season keeps clover and chicory from getting shaded out by taller weeds and grasses, and it's the single most important maintenance step separating a 4-year stand from a 1-year failure. For more on matching gear to plot size and species, see food plot seed and deer food plot seed.

How much does a perennial plot cost to establish and maintain?

Seed costs for clover blends generally run $15-40 per acre depending on the blend and whether it includes chicory or alfalfa, based on typical retail pricing for wildlife clover seed mixes. Lime, if needed, is the bigger line item, often costing more per acre than the seed itself depending on how far your pH needs to move and local lime delivery costs. A rough first-year budget for a one-acre perennial clover plot: seed ($20-40), lime if needed (variable, often $30-60/acre for ag lime spread), and starter fertilizer per your soil test recommendation. Ongoing annual costs after establishment drop significantly, mostly mowing fuel and occasional maintenance fertilizer, which is the real financial argument for perennials over replanting annuals every single year. Where perennials lose the cost argument is on marginal ground that needs heavy lime correction or where deer pressure and weed competition are so high the stand fails in year one anyway. In that case you've spent perennial-level money for annual-level results.

Perennial vs. annual seed: which should you actually plant?

Neither is universally better. Perennials save labor over multiple years and provide season-long spring/summer nutrition once established. Annuals give more flexibility to rotate species, target a specific season (like a fall brassica plot timed to peak right before gun season), and tend to establish faster and more predictably on so-so ground. Many experienced plot managers run both: a perennial clover field as the season-long anchor plot, plus one or two annual plots (brassicas, cereal grain, or beans) rotated for fall attraction and soil health. That combination hedges against a bad establishment year on either type and spreads food availability across more of the calendar. If you're choosing your first plot ever and have decent, well-drained soil with a pH you can correct into range, clover is the lower-risk long-term choice. If your ground is marginal, shaded, or you can only get out there once or twice a year, annual brassicas or cereal grains are more forgiving and cheaper to walk away from if the site doesn't work out. For a side-by-side on specific seed products across both categories, check domain food plot seed and deer for food.

Frequently asked questions

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer eat sorghum grain, especially once heads mature in fall, but it's a warm-season annual, not a perennial. It works better as a fall grain source or screening crop around a perennial clover plot than as a standalone perennial food plot choice.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most consistently used forages by whitetail deer and one of the most commonly planted perennial food plot species in North America, favored for its protein content during spring and summer growth periods.

When should I plant food plots for deer?

Timing depends on species and zone. Perennials like clover go in early spring or 45-90 days before first fall frost. Warm-season annuals go in after last spring frost. Cool-season annuals (brassicas, oats) go in 60-90 days before first fall frost. Check your local extension frost date tables.

Do deer like clover more than other forages?

Deer show strong, consistent use of clover across seasons, but 'favorite' shifts with what's available and the season. In fall, deer often prefer acorns or brassica bulbs over clover, since clover use tends to peak during spring and summer growth.

When do you plant oats for deer food plots?

Oats are typically planted in late summer to early fall, generally August through September depending on zone, since they mature in 60-90 days and deer show strong fall preference for them. Oats are also commonly used as a nurse crop planted alongside clover.

When is the best time to plant turnips for deer?

Turnips need roughly 80-90 days before your first killing frost, which usually means a July or August planting date in most whitetail range. Deer often ignore turnip tops and bulbs early, then hit them hard after a few frosts sweeten the starches.

What exactly is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted area, usually a fraction of an acre to several acres, established specifically to feed and attract deer or other wildlife. Plots use either annual seed (replanted yearly) or perennial seed (persisting 3-5+ years) depending on goals and site conditions.

What are deer's favorite foods overall?

There's no single universal favorite; deer preference shifts by season and availability. Soft mast, acorns, agricultural crops like soybeans and corn, and legumes like clover rank consistently high in browse studies, but a big acorn year can pull deer away from any planted food plot.

Do deer like honey?

There's no solid evidence deer seek out honey specifically, and it isn't part of any standard food plot or wildlife feeding recommendation. Occasional reports of deer near beehives likely relate to wax or residual sugar, not a documented feeding behavior.

How long does a perennial food plot last before replanting?

Most clover stands persist 3-5 years with proper mowing and fertility maintenance, alfalfa can run 4-6 years on well-drained soil, and chicory often persists similarly to clover in a blend. Stand life shortens on poor-draining ground or where weed competition isn't controlled.

Can you plant perennial and annual seed in the same plot?

Not usually in the same season in the same spot, since annuals and perennials compete for space and light differently. Many managers instead run separate plots, or plant an annual nurse crop like oats alongside new perennial clover seed to establish faster.

What pH does clover need for a food plot?

Clover and alfalfa perform best with soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Below pH 5.5, nutrient availability drops and stands thin out fast. A soil test is the only reliable way to know your actual pH and required lime rate.

Sources

1. USDA NRCS Plant Guide: White Clover: White clover is widely used and readily eaten by deer, a common wildlife forage recommendation
2. University of Tennessee Extension: Brassicas for Deer: Brassicas including turnips are planted 80-90 days before first killing frost and improve palatability after frost
3. USDA NRCS Plant Guide: Grain Sorghum: Grain sorghum is a warm-season annual grain crop used by wildlife including deer once heads mature
4. USDA Forest Service: White-tailed Deer Habitat and Food Habits: Deer diet and preference shifts seasonally among mast, agricultural crops, and forbs
5. University of Missouri Extension: Soil Testing for Food Plots: Clover and alfalfa require soil pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range for good establishment and yield