Planting food plots in august: what actually works

Last updated 2026-07-26

is august a good time to plant food plots?

It depends entirely on where you hunt and what you're planting. August is the right window for brassicas like turnips and radishes in the northern half of the whitetail's range, because those plants need 80 to 90 days to bulb up before a hard frost sweetens them. In the south, August is often too hot and dry to plant much of anything with a straight face, and smart plot managers spend the month on soil tests, spraying, and equipment prep instead. The real constraint isn't the calendar, it's soil temperature and moisture. Seed sitting in 90-degree dirt with no rain in the forecast is a wasted bag of seed. The Penn State Extension guide on food plots for wildlife notes that late summer plantings work best when timed to soil moisture rather than a fixed date. If you're in the Deep South or the southern Midwest, you're usually better off waiting until early September for most seed types. Think of August as two different jobs depending on latitude. Up north (zones 3-5 roughly, meaning the northern Midwest, Northeast, and Canadian border states), August is planting month for brassicas and some cereal grains. Down south, August is prep month: kill weeds, pull soil samples, fix equipment, and get ready to plant in September when the heat breaks.

when to plant food plots for deer, by region

Northern (MN, WI, MI, ME, northern NY)	late July to mid-August	April-May or Aug 15-Sept 1	mid-August to early September
Mid-latitude (IA, IL, OH, PA, VA)	mid-August to early September	April-May or late Aug-Sept	late August to mid-September
Southern (AL, GA, TN, AR, TX)	September	Sept-Oct or Feb-March	late September to October	These are guidelines, not gospel. Local frost dates shift year to year, and a soil test result telling you your ground needs lime you haven't applied yet changes everything about timing too. If you're building a planting calendar for your specific property, a Custom Food Plot Plan factors in your frost date and soil results rather than a generic regional chart, but even a napkin version of this table will get you close.

There's no single national planting date because the country spans hardiness zones from USDA Zone 3 in northern Minnesota to Zone 9 in southern Georgia and Florida. What matters for food plots isn't the hardiness zone number itself, it's the first expected frost date, because that's what triggers sugar production in brassicas and determines whether a fall annual has time to mature. Here's a rough breakdown that most extension programs and seed companies use: | Region | Brassicas (turnips, radish) | Clover / perennial | Cereal grains (oats, wheat, rye) |

when to plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 80 to 90 days before your average first frost date. For most of the whitetail range that lands somewhere between late July and late August. Turnips need that long growing window because deer don't really hammer the bulbs and leaves hard until after a frost converts starches to sugars, which is why an August-planted turnip patch often gets ignored in September and then gets hit hard in November and December. Soil moisture matters more than the calendar date. Turnip seed is tiny and shallow-planted (a quarter inch or less), so it dries out fast in bare dirt. If you're planting into a drought, wait for a rain forecast even if it pushes you a week or two past your ideal window. The University of Tennessee Extension food plot publication recommends drilling brassica seed no deeper than a half inch and notes that a firm seedbed with good soil-to-seed contact matters more for these small seeds than exact planting date ^[1]. A turnip-only plot is a gamble in early fall because deer often won't touch the greens until it's cold. Mixing in oats or a cereal grain gives deer something to eat right away while the turnips build size underground.

when to plant oats for deer?

Oats go in the ground anywhere from mid-August through mid-September in most of the whitetail range, and they're one of the more forgiving cool-season annuals you can plant. Oats germinate fast, often in 5 to 7 days with decent moisture, and deer will hit young oat shoots almost immediately, which makes them a good choice if you want plot activity within a few weeks of planting rather than waiting for a frost to sweeten a brassica. Oats aren't cold-hardy the way winter wheat or cereal rye is. A hard freeze in the teens will usually kill oats outright, so in northern climates they function as a fall annual, not a plant that carries food through the whole winter. If you want food into January and February, pair oats with wheat, rye, or a brassica that survives colder temperatures. Seeding rate for oats in a food plot context typically runs 60 to 100 pounds per acre broadcast, heavier than you'd use in an agricultural grain setting because plot managers overseed to account for deer browsing pressure on young shoots. Check your state extension's forage guide for exact rates in your soil type.

what is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted area, usually somewhere between a quarter acre and several acres, established specifically to provide supplemental forage for deer and other wildlife rather than for commercial harvest. Landowners and hunters plant them on private or leased ground to improve deer nutrition, concentrate deer activity for observation or hunting, and extend the growing season of nutritious forage into fall and winter when natural browse quality drops. Food plots generally fall into two categories: annuals (planted fresh each year, like brassicas, oats, and soybeans) and perennials (established once and managed for multiple years, like clover and alfalfa). Most serious plot programs run both, using perennial clover for spring and summer protein and annual brassicas or cereal grains for fall and winter. A food plot is not a substitute for habitat management. Bedding cover, native browse, and mast production from oak trees do more for a deer herd's year-round nutrition than a one-acre plot ever will. Plots are a supplement, and a well-placed half-acre plot next to good cover often outperforms a five-acre plot in the open. For more on how plot types compare, see food plot whitetail and deer food plots.

do deer eat clover, and do deer like clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most consistently preferred food plot forages for whitetail deer, and it's a staple of nearly every serious plot program in North America. Deer graze clover heavily from spring green-up through fall, and its crude protein content, often in the 20 to 30 percent range depending on variety and maturity, makes it valuable during antler growth and lactation in late spring and summer ^[2]. The catch with clover is that it's a perennial, so August planting is a bad idea in most of the country. Clover establishes best in spring (April-May) or in late summer once temperatures cool, roughly mid-August through September in northern climates and later in the south. Planting clover into hot, dry August ground in Kentucky or Missouri is a good way to watch your seed germinate and then die in a heat wave. If you already have an established clover plot, August is maintenance month, not planting month. Mow it to knock back weed competition and stimulate new growth, and consider a soil test if it's been more than two years, since clover pulls nitrogen from the air but still needs adequate phosphorus, potassium, and a soil pH above 6.0 to perform well. For seed blend options, see deer food plot seed.

do deer eat sorghum?

Deer will eat grain sorghum, but it's not a top-tier food plot choice for most whitetail programs, especially compared to soybeans, corn, or brassicas. Sorghum is more commonly planted as a screening or cover crop in food plot contexts, valued for its height and thick growth that gives deer a place to feel secure moving into a plot during daylight, rather than as a primary attractant. Deer will browse sorghum leaves and eat the grain heads once they mature, and in a pinch (especially in years when corn or soybeans get hammered early by drought or deer pressure) sorghum can add tonnage to a plot. But it's rarely the reason deer show up to a field the way a mature soybean field or a frosted turnip patch is. If you're using sorghum, plant it late spring to early summer like you would corn, not in August. It needs a full warm season to reach height and grain maturity, so an August planting in most of the country won't have time to do much before frost.

what are deer's favorite foods?

There's no single universal answer because deer preference shifts by season, region, and what's locally available, but research and decades of plot-manager observation point to a consistent short list: acorns and other hard mast, soybeans, clover, and (once frosted) brassicas like turnips and radishes. Acorns are arguably the single most preferred natural food in the whitetail's range when they're available, and a good mast year can pull deer off planted plots entirely. Among planted forages, soybeans are consistently near the top of preference studies and plot-manager rankings because of their high protein and palatability through the growing season, and clover runs close behind for the same reason. Seasonal timing changes the answer too. In late summer and early fall, deer favor soybeans, standing corn, and clover. Once frost hits, sugar-sweetened brassicas and cereal grains become highly preferred, sometimes overnight, which is exactly why so many plot plans pair a summer forage with a fall brassica in the same field. For a broader look at species selection, see deer food plot seed and food plot seed.

do deer like honey (or honeysuckle)?

If the question is about honey the substance, deer don't seek it out as a food source; they're browsers and grazers built around forage, mast, and agricultural crops, not sweets, and there's no wildlife research suggesting honey has any role in deer diet or attraction. Most of the time this question actually points to honeysuckle, and that answer is a clear yes. Japanese honeysuckle and native honeysuckle species are heavily browsed by deer, especially in winter when other green browse is scarce, and honeysuckle thickets are frequently cited in state wildlife agency habitat guides as both a food source and cover. Some state agencies list Japanese honeysuckle as an invasive species even while acknowledging deer use it heavily, since it can crowd out native plant diversity ^[3]. If you're trying to attract deer with something sweet-smelling, mineral and salt attractants are a different conversation than food plots entirely, and many states regulate or restrict them the same way they do bait piles. Check your state wildlife agency's baiting and feeding regulations before using any supplemental attractant, since rules vary widely and some states, like Michigan and parts of Wisconsin, have strict baiting bans tied to chronic wasting disease management ^[4].

what should i actually plant in august, step by step?

Start with a soil test if you haven't pulled one in the last two to three years. Your local extension office or a private ag lab will run pH, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter for somewhere around $10 to $20 per sample, and the results tell you how much lime and fertilizer to apply before seed ever hits the ground ^[5]. Skipping this step is the single most common reason plots underperform, more than seed choice or planting date. Next, kill existing vegetation. If your plot has grass or weeds, spray glyphosate 7 to 14 days before planting to give it time to work, then either till or no-till drill into the dead residue. A clean seedbed with good soil-to-seed contact matters more than almost anything else for small-seeded brassicas and clover. Then match your seed to your frost date. If your first frost typically hits mid-October, count back 80 to 90 days and that's your brassica planting deadline, usually late July to mid-August in that scenario. If you're farther south with a November or December frost, you've got more room and can wait until September for most seed types. Finally, fertilize according to your soil test, not a bag's generic recommendation. A soil test might call for 300 pounds of 0-20-20 per acre, or it might say your potassium is already high and you only need nitrogen. Your soil test lab is the authority here, not a blog post or a seed tag, because fertility needs vary enormously by field history and soil type.

what equipment do i need for an august planting?

For a small plot (under two acres) you can get by with an ATV or UTV, a pull-behind disc or tiller, a broadcast spreader, and a cultipacker or drag to firm the seedbed after planting. Total cost for this setup used runs anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 depending on what you already own and how much you buy new versus secondhand. For larger plots or food plot programs on multiple properties, a no-till drill changes everything, especially for small seeds like clover and brassicas that need shallow, even placement. No-till drills let you plant directly into standing residue or a sprayed-out cover crop without tilling, which preserves soil structure and moisture, both of which matter a lot in a hot, dry August planting window. Drills can be rented through many state Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices or local co-ops, often for less than the cost of buying one outright ^[6]. Don't discount hand tools for small plots. A push-behind broadcast spreader, a hand seeder for tight spots, and a lawn roller for cultipacking can establish a quarter-acre plot for under $200 in equipment if you're willing to do the labor yourself.

what mistakes do people make planting in august?

The most common mistake is planting on the calendar instead of planting on conditions. A grower who plants turnips on August 1st every year regardless of the weather is going to have some great years and some total failures, because seed germination depends on moisture and soil temperature, not a date on a calendar. If the ten-day forecast is bone dry, wait. The second most common mistake is skipping the soil test and guessing on lime and fertilizer. Brassicas and clover both want a soil pH in the 6.0 to 6.8 range for best nutrient uptake, and if your ground is at 5.2 (common in a lot of wooded, acidic soils across the eastern whitetail range), no amount of fertilizer will fix that without lime, and lime takes months to fully react with the soil. If you're planting in August and haven't limed, you're behind, and the fix is to lime now for next year's plot rather than this year's. Third, people plant too deep. Brassica and clover seed are tiny and need to go no deeper than a quarter to a half inch. A seed drill set for soybeans will bury clover seed too deep to emerge. Read your drill's settings for the specific seed you're using, or broadcast small seeds and cultipack instead of drilling them.

Frequently asked questions

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer will eat both the leaves and mature grain heads of sorghum, but it's more commonly used in food plots as a screening or cover crop than as a primary attractant. Soybeans, corn, and brassicas are generally more preferred forage choices for whitetail-focused plots.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most heavily preferred forages in whitetail diets, especially spring through fall. It runs 20 to 30 percent crude protein depending on variety and maturity, making it valuable during antler growth and lactation.

When is the best time to plant deer food plots?

It depends on species and region. Brassicas go in 80 to 90 days before first frost (July-August in the north, August-September in the south). Clover plants best in spring or late summer. Cereal grains like oats and wheat go in mid-August through September in most areas.

Do deer like clover more than other forages?

Clover ranks among the top preferred forages in most studies and plot-manager observation, often rivaling soybeans for preference during the growing season. Preference shifts seasonally though, and deer favor mast, standing corn, and frosted brassicas at other times of year.

When should I plant oats for deer?

Plant oats mid-August through mid-September across most of the whitetail range. Oats germinate quickly, often within 5 to 7 days with good moisture, but they aren't cold-hardy and typically die back after a hard freeze, so pair them with wheat or rye if you want food into winter.

When should I plant food plots for deer overall?

There's no single date. Match your seed type to your region's first frost date: brassicas need 80-90 days before frost, cereal grains go in late summer to early fall, and clover plants best in spring or cooling late summer. Soil moisture at planting time matters as much as the calendar.

When should I plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 80 to 90 days before your area's average first frost, which lands roughly late July to mid-August in the north and August to September farther south. Deer usually won't hit the greens or bulbs hard until after a frost sweetens them.

What exactly is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted patch, typically a quarter acre to several acres, established to supplement deer nutrition and concentrate wildlife activity for hunting or observation. Plots use annuals like brassicas and soybeans or perennials like clover, and they supplement rather than replace natural habitat and mast.

What are deer's favorite foods?

Acorns and other hard mast typically top the list when available. Among planted forages, soybeans and clover rank consistently high for preference and protein content, and frosted brassicas like turnips become highly attractive once cold weather sweetens their sugars.

Do deer like honey?

No, deer don't seek out honey as a food source since they're browsers built around forage and mast, not sweets. This question often actually means honeysuckle, which deer do browse heavily, especially in winter when other green forage is scarce.

Can I plant food plots in August if my area is in a drought?

You can, but germination will likely fail without rain in the forecast. Small-seeded brassicas and clover dry out fast in bare soil. Most agronomists recommend waiting for a realistic rain window even if it pushes your planting date later than ideal.

Is it too late to plant clover in August?

In most of the country, late August through September works for clover if you get consistent rain and cooling temperatures. Planting into peak summer heat in early August is riskier. Spring (April-May) remains the more reliable clover planting window in most regions.

How do I know when my area's first frost date is?

Check your state's cooperative extension office or the NOAA/National Weather Service climate normals for your county. Most extension offices publish average first and last frost dates by county, which you can use to count backward for brassica and cereal grain planting windows.

Sources

1. University of Tennessee Extension, Wildlife Food Plots publication: Brassica seed should be drilled no deeper than a half inch and needs firm soil-to-seed contact
2. USDA NRCS Plant Guide, White Clover: Clover forage crude protein content commonly falls in the 20-30 percent range depending on variety and maturity
3. USDA NRCS Plant Guide, Japanese Honeysuckle: Japanese honeysuckle is heavily browsed by deer while also being classified as invasive in many regions
4. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Baiting and Feeding Regulations: Michigan restricts baiting and feeding of deer as part of chronic wasting disease management
5. University of Missouri Extension, Soil Testing: Standard soil test fees typically run in the range of $10-20 per sample through university extension labs
6. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Equipment Loan and Cost-Share Programs: NRCS offices and cost-share programs can provide access to conservation planting equipment like no-till drills