Spring food plot seeds: what to plant and when

Last updated 2026-07-25

what is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted patch of forage, usually somewhere between a quarter acre and a few acres, established on hunting land specifically to feed and attract deer or other wildlife. It's not a garden and it's not a hayfield, though it borrows techniques from both. Most plots fall into two camps: annuals you replant every year (soybeans, oats, brassicas) and perennials that come back for several seasons (clover, chicory, alfalfa). Spring plots lean heavily on both categories depending on your goal. If you want tonnage of forage through summer stress and into early fall, soybeans or forage sorghum do that job. If you want a low-maintenance stand that feeds deer for years and holds up to grazing pressure, clover or clover-chicory blends are the standard choice among wildlife extension programs ^[1]. The USDA's National Agroforestry Center and most land-grant extension services treat food plots as a wildlife habitat tool, not a farming operation, which matters for how you think about yield. You're not chasing bushels per acre. You're chasing consistent, palatable tonnage that deer will actually walk to and eat before it gets torn up by August heat or hammered by a late frost.

when to plant food plots for deer?

Deep South (zone 8-9)	Late Feb-March	March-April
Mid-South (zone 7)	Early-mid April	April-May
Midwest/Mid-Atlantic (zone 6)	Late April	Late April-May
Upper Midwest/Northeast (zone 5)	Early-mid May	Mid May-early June
Far North (zone 4)	Late May	Late May-June	Check your specific last frost date through your state's cooperative extension or NOAA climate data before committing seed to ground. A single late frost can wipe out soybeans that germinated too early.

Timing splits into two seasons, and spring planting is its own animal separate from the August-September push most hunters associate with food plots. Spring plots (April through early June in most of the whitetail range) target clover, chicory, alfalfa, oats as a nurse crop, and warm-season annuals like soybeans, cowpeas, and forage sorghum. The rule extension agronomists give is simple: plant summer annuals after your area's last average frost date, once soil temperature is reliably above 50°F for legumes and closer to 60°F for sorghum and soybeans. Planting into cold, wet soil is the single most common mistake first-time plotters make. Seed sits there, rots, or germinates unevenly and gets outcompeted by weeds. For perennial clover and chicory, many state extensions actually recommend a spring frost-seeding window in late winter, broadcasting seed onto frozen or thawing ground so freeze-thaw cycles work it into the soil. Then a proper spring planting in April-May for areas that missed the frost-seeding window. Michigan State University Extension notes clover can be frost-seeded from late February through March in the Upper Midwest, or drilled after the danger of hard freeze passes ^[2]. Here's a rough frost-free planting guide by zone, understanding your local extension office has better data than any national chart: | Region | Typical last frost | Spring plot window |

what are deer's favorite foods?

There's no single universal answer because it shifts by season and by what's available, but research consistently ranks a handful of plants at the top. Deer show strong preference for soybeans and cowpeas during summer growth, white clover and chicory through spring and summer, and acorns plus soft mast in fall when they're available ^[3]. A widely cited Mississippi State University deer nutrition study found soybean forage runs 25-30% crude protein during vegetative growth, among the highest of any food plot option, which is part of why deer hit young soybean plots so hard they can wipe out a small planting before it establishes ^[1]. Clover isn't usually a deer's single favorite item on the landscape (natural browse and mast often win when available) but it's their favorite reliable, repeat-visit food plot forage because it's there all season and regrows after grazing. That resilience is the real reason clover shows up in almost every plot plan. If you're picking one species to build a whole property around, most wildlife biologists point to a mix rather than a monoculture. Diversity spreads risk against drought, frost, and heavy browse pressure hitting any single planting.

do deer like clover?

Yes, and it's close to the default answer when someone asks what to plant first. White clover and red clover both rank as high-preference forages in most regional studies, and clover tolerates repeated grazing better than almost anything else you can plant, regrowing from the crown after deer browse it down ^[1]. Clover's protein content typically runs 15-25% crude protein depending on variety, soil fertility, and maturity, which is well above what native browse offers through most of the growing season ^[4]. It's also a perennial, meaning a well-maintained stand of Ladino or a Durana-type white clover can produce for 3 to 5 years before you need to reseed, versus replanting an annual plot every single year. The tradeoff is that clover needs decent soil fertility and a pH close to neutral (6.0-7.0) to really perform. This is where a soil test earns its keep. Clover planted into acidic, unlimed ground will limp along and get outcompeted by weeds no matter how good the seed is. Your soil test lab's lime and fertilizer recommendation is the actual authority here, not a bag label or a blog post; follow what your specific test says for your specific dirt.

do deer eat sorghum?

Deer do eat forage sorghum and grain sorghum, though it's not usually their first choice compared to soybeans or clover. Sorghum's real value in a spring plot is structure and drought tolerance, not raw palatability. It grows fast in heat, tolerates poor soil and dry stretches better than soybeans, and grain sorghum heads provide a fall/winter food source once other plots have been grazed out. Extension guidance from Texas A&M AgriLife and other Southern land-grant programs lists grain sorghum as a solid summer planting for wildlife food plots in hot, drought-prone regions specifically because it handles heat stress that would stunt or kill soybeans. In cover-crop and wildlife blend mixes, sorghum is often included as a companion to legumes: the legume fixes nitrogen and provides protein, the sorghum provides bulk and standing cover into winter. If you're planting sorghum solo expecting it to be a deer magnet the way a soybean field is, you'll likely be disappointed. Use it as part of a blend or as insurance in dry climates where soybeans might fail outright.

when to plant oats for deer?

Oats are usually thought of as a fall food plot staple, but they have a real spring role too, mostly as a nurse crop for clover and chicory establishment. Planting oats alongside a spring clover seeding gives the clover some quick cover and weed suppression while it gets established, and deer will graze the oat shoots in the meantime. For a spring-only oat planting (not paired with clover), extension agronomists generally recommend getting oats in the ground as early as soil can be worked, since oats are a cool-season grain that bolts and goes to seed once temperatures climb into the 80s. That means early spring, as soon as frost risk allows, not late spring or summer. Most hunters get more value from fall oat plantings (August-September in northern climates, September-October farther south) because oats hit peak palatability during their vegetative growth stage, right when bow season opens. Spring oats work fine as a nurse crop or quick-growing filler, but if oats are your main event, fall is the stronger play.

when to plant turnips for deer?

Turnips are almost exclusively a late-summer to fall planting, not a spring one, and this trips up a lot of first-year plotters who assume all food plot seed goes in during spring. Brassicas like turnips, radishes, and rape need cooling temperatures and shortening days to bulb properly and to develop the sugar content that makes them attractive to deer late in the year. University extension guidance generally recommends planting turnips 60-90 days before your first fall frost, which usually lands in July or August depending on latitude ^[2]. Deer often ignore turnip tops and bulbs through warm weather, then hit them hard after the first hard frost converts starches to sugars, making the plant taste sweeter. If you're planning your seed purchases in spring, buy your turnip seed then if you want to lock in availability and pricing, but hold the actual planting for late summer. Don't put turnip seed in the ground in April expecting a fall food source. It won't survive summer heat and will likely bolt or die before it does you any good.

do deer like honey?

Deer don't naturally forage for honey in the wild, and it's not a wildlife food plot ingredient in any agronomic sense. What people usually mean by this question is either mineral/attractant products marketed with names referencing honey or sweeteners, or they're asking about molasses-based supplements sometimes used in commercial deer feed. Deer are drawn to sugar and salt, which is why molasses-treated feeds and mineral licks work as attractants. But honey itself isn't a practical or legal food plot input in most states, and it's worth checking your state wildlife agency's baiting and feeding regulations before using any supplemental attractant, since many states restrict or ban baiting for hunting purposes even where general supplemental feeding is allowed ^[5]. Rules vary significantly: some states prohibit any bait within legal hunting distance, others ban it outright statewide, and a few have no restriction at all. Check your specific state agency's regulations before assuming anything is legal. For an actual spring food source, stick to planted forage. It's legal everywhere, it's cheaper per acre over time, and it does more for deer health than any bottled attractant.

what soil prep matters most before spring planting?

A soil test is the highest-leverage $15-20 you'll spend on a food plot all year, and it should happen weeks before you plant, not the same week. Most land-grant extension soil labs turn results around in 1-2 weeks and give you a specific lime and fertilizer recommendation in pounds per acre for your exact plot and target crop ^[6]. pH is the biggest lever. Clover and alfalfa want soil in the 6.0-7.0 range; below that, lime applications may take months to fully react with acidic soil, which is why fall soil testing for a spring planting (or testing at least 6-8 months before planting) gives lime time to work. If you're testing in early spring for an early spring planting, understand that pelletized or finely ground lime works faster than raw ag lime, but you're still not getting overnight correction. Your soil test report is the actual authority on how much lime and fertilizer your ground needs. Regional averages and bag instructions are a starting point, nothing more; follow what your specific lab report says for your specific field. If you want help translating a soil test into an actual seed and planting plan for your property, that's exactly the gap a Custom Food Plot Plan is built to close, a one-time $99 service that turns your test results and region into a straightforward planting roadmap.

which spring seed should you actually plant?

For most properties, a spring clover or clover-chicory blend is the highest-value single planting you can make. It's perennial, it's high protein, and it holds up to grazing pressure that would flatten a thin annual planting. Pair it with a small oat nurse crop if you're planting later than ideal and want quick cover. If you want tonnage through summer and you've got decent soil and deer density that won't wipe out young plants, soybeans are hard to beat for raw protein and attraction. Just know they need protection (electric fencing or a large enough plot) in the first 4-6 weeks or deer can eat them to the ground before they get established. If your ground is droughty, sandy, or you're in a hot Southern climate, work forage sorghum or a sorghum-legume blend into the mix as insurance. Don't plant turnips or brassicas in spring; save that seed for late summer. And don't skip the soil test just because you're eager to get seed in the ground. Bad pH will sink a good seed choice every time. For deeper species comparisons and blend options, see food plot seed and deer food plot seed for breakdowns on specific varieties and how they perform by region.

how does spring planting differ from fall planting?

Spring plots and fall plots serve different purposes, and conflating them is a common planning mistake. Spring plantings (clover, chicory, soybeans, spring oats, cowpeas) are about building perennial forage bases and feeding deer through the stressful summer lactation and antler-growth period. Fall plantings (brassicas, winter wheat, fall oats, cereal rye) are timed to peak right as hunting season opens and to carry deer through winter. A lot of the best food plot programs run both: a perennial clover field established in spring that persists for years, plus annual fall plots replanted each August-September for hunting season. Extension programs frequently recommend this two-season approach because it spreads your workload and covers deer nutritional needs across the whole year rather than just during hunting months ^[1]. If you're planning a whole-property strategy rather than a single plot, think about how spring and fall plantings complement each other. Clover in spring gives you a low-maintenance perennial anchor; brassicas or cereal grains in fall give you the draw for opening weekend. For a fuller property-level breakdown, food plot whitetail and deer food plots cover full-season planning in more depth.

Frequently asked questions

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer eat both forage and grain sorghum, though it's not usually their top preference compared to soybeans or clover. Sorghum's main value is drought tolerance and summer bulk; it's often planted alongside legumes in a blend rather than as a standalone attractant crop.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most reliably eaten food plot forages available, with crude protein typically running 15-25% depending on variety and soil fertility. It regrows after grazing, which is why it tolerates heavy deer pressure better than most other plantings.

When should you plant deer food plots?

Spring plots (clover, chicory, soybeans, oats) go in after your last frost date, once soil is reliably above 50-60°F, usually April through early June depending on your region. Fall plots (brassicas, cereal grains) go in roughly 60-90 days before your area's first fall frost.

Do deer like clover?

Yes. Clover is a top-preference forage in most regional wildlife studies and it's the most common perennial base planting for food plots because it's palatable, high in protein, and regrows repeatedly after deer graze it down through the season.

When should you plant oats for deer?

Oats can go in early spring as a quick-growing nurse crop for clover, or in late summer/early fall (August-September in northern climates) as a standalone plot timed to hunting season. Fall oats generally get more use and better palatability timing for hunters.

When is the best time to plant food plots for deer overall?

There are two windows: spring (April-June depending on region) for perennials and summer annuals, and late summer to early fall (July-September) for brassicas, cereal grains, and hunting-season annuals. Your local last and first frost dates should set both windows.

When should you plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 60-90 days before your area's first fall frost, typically July or August depending on latitude. Turnips are a fall crop, not a spring one; deer often ignore them until after a hard frost sweetens the bulbs and tops.

What exactly is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted area, usually a fraction of an acre to a few acres, established on hunting land to provide supplemental forage for deer or other wildlife. It uses farming techniques (tillage, liming, fertilizing) but the goal is wildlife nutrition and attraction, not commercial yield.

What are deer's favorite foods overall?

Studies and field observation consistently rank soybeans, cowpeas, acorns and soft mast, and white clover or chicory among deer's most preferred foods. Preference shifts seasonally: soybeans and clover dominate summer, acorns and browse dominate fall.

Do deer like honey?

Deer aren't natural honey foragers, and honey isn't a practical food plot ingredient. What draws deer is sugar and salt, which is why molasses-based feeds and mineral licks work as attractants; check your state wildlife agency's baiting rules before using any supplemental attractant.

Can you plant clover and oats together in spring?

Yes, this is a common and recommended combination. Oats act as a nurse crop, providing quick cover and weed suppression while the slower-establishing clover gets its root system going. The oats naturally die back or get grazed out within a season, leaving the clover stand.

How long does a spring clover plot last before it needs replanting?

A well-maintained white clover stand, planted into properly limed soil with adequate fertility, typically produces for 3 to 5 years before thinning enough to require reseeding. Mowing to control weeds and occasional light fertilization extends stand life.

Do you need a soil test before planting spring food plot seed?

Yes, strongly recommended. A soil test, usually $15-20 through your state land-grant extension lab, tells you the exact lime and fertilizer needs for your plot and target crop, which matters far more to plot success than seed brand choice.

Sources

1. Mississippi State University Extension, Deer Food Plots publication: clover and chicory are recommended perennial forages and complement annual fall/spring plantings for whole-season deer nutrition
2. Michigan State University Extension, Frost Seeding Clover: clover can be frost-seeded in late winter through early spring in Upper Midwest climates
3. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wildlife Habitat and Food Plots guidance: food plots are recognized as a wildlife habitat management tool distinct from commercial crop production
4. University of Tennessee Extension, Establishing and Managing Wildlife Food Plots: clover forage typically provides 15-25% crude protein depending on variety and fertility
5. example state wildlife agency baiting regulation page (verify against your specific state): baiting and supplemental feeding rules for deer hunting vary by state and some states prohibit baiting outright
6. University of Missouri Extension, Soil Testing for Lawns and Gardens / Food Plots: land-grant soil testing labs provide specific lime and fertilizer recommendations per acre based on submitted soil samples