When to plant fall food plots in GA (by planting zone)

Last updated 2026-07-26

When should you plant fall food plots in Georgia?

Timing depends on where you sit in the state, not a single calendar date. Georgia spans three rough planting zones for food plot purposes: the mountains and upper Piedmont (north of a line roughly through Atlanta and Athens), the middle Piedmont and upper coastal plain, and the lower coastal plain and coastal counties near the Florida and South Carolina lines. The University of Georgia Extension breaks the state into plant hardiness zones 7a through 8b, and that same gradient drives frost timing and fall planting windows ^[1]. As a rule of thumb, north Georgia plots should go in the ground between August 15 and September 15 for brassicas, and September 15 through October 15 for cereal grains and clover. South Georgia can push most plantings two to four weeks later because the first frost doesn't show up until late November or even December in coastal counties, versus mid to late October in the mountains ^[2]. The biggest mistake hunters make here isn't planting too early. It's planting too late and expecting a green plot by opening weekend. Brassicas in particular need 80 to 90 days to bulb out properly. If you plant a turnip mix on October 1 in north Georgia hoping for a mature plot by November's rut, you'll get leaves and not much else. Soil temperature matters more than the calendar page. Cereal grains like oats and wheat germinate best when soil temps sit between 55 and 75 degrees, and clover establishes well in that same range. If a preview of unusually hot September weather has soil running hot, waiting an extra week rarely hurts.

When to plant deer food plots (general fall planting calendar for GA)

North GA (mountains, upper Piedmont)	Aug 15 to Sept 15	Sept 15 to Oct 15	Sept 1 to Oct 15
Middle GA (lower Piedmont, upper coastal plain)	Aug 25 to Sept 25	Sept 25 to Oct 25	Sept 15 to Nov 1
South GA (lower coastal plain, coastal counties)	Sept 1 to Oct 1	Oct 1 to Nov 1	Oct 1 to Nov 15	These windows line up with first frost dates published by the National Weather Service and NOAA climate normals, which show average first frost around October 20 to 25 in north Georgia mountain counties, mid to late November in middle Georgia, and late November into early December along the coast [2]. If you're only planting one thing this fall and want it ready for archery season in mid-September, don't count on a fall planting at all. That plot needed to go in during late July or August as a summer-to-fall transition planting, or you're hunting a plot planted the previous spring. Fall plantings realistically target late season and post-rut hunting in most of Georgia, not opening day.

Here's a working calendar broken out by Georgia region. Treat these as planting windows, not single dates, since soil moisture and weather in a given year can shift things by a week or two either direction. | Region | Brassicas/turnips | Cereal grains (oats, wheat, rye) | Clover (frost seeding or fall establish) |

When to plant turnips for deer in Georgia?

Plant turnips 80 to 90 days before you want them mature and ready to eat, which in Georgia means mid-August in the north and into mid-September in the south. Turnips need that long growing window to bulb properly, and deer often ignore the bulbs until after a hard frost sweetens the starches into sugars. That frost-triggered palatability shift is well documented by extension research on brassicas: cold weather converts starches to sugars, making the bulbs and greens more attractive right when hunters need late-season food sources ^[3]. In north Georgia that means turnips planted in mid-August often don't get hit hard until late November or December, after a few freezes. Seed turnips shallow, no deeper than a quarter to half inch, into a firm seedbed. Broadcasting into a lightly disked field and cultipacking works fine; turnips don't need to be drilled. A soil test is the only real way to know your lime and fertility needs since turnips are heavy nitrogen feeders and will underperform on acidic or nutrient-poor ground. Your soil test lab's recommendations are the final word on rates for your specific field, not a bag label.

When to plant oats for deer in Georgia?

Plant oats in Georgia between mid-September and late October, with north Georgia on the early end of that window and the coastal plain on the late end. Oats are a cool-season annual grain that germinates fast, often showing green in 5 to 7 days under good soil moisture, and they tolerate cooler soil temps better than brassicas. Oats aren't as cold-hardy as wheat or cereal rye. In a hard winter, oats can die back after temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens for extended periods, whereas wheat and rye shrug off much colder snaps ^[4]. That's worth knowing if you're planting a mix and want something to survive into late winter for a food source through hunting season and beyond. A lot of Georgia hunters blend oats with wheat or with a brassica like turnips or radish. Oats provide a fast green-up that pulls deer in early, while the wheat or brassica component holds up through the coldest stretch of the season. Seeding rate for oats alone typically runs 2 to 3 bushels per acre broadcast, though a soil test and your specific blend will change that number.

Do deer like clover, and when should you plant it in the fall?

Yes, deer strongly prefer clover, and it's considered one of the most reliable perennial food plot options across the Southeast. White clover and red clover both rank high in deer preference studies and provide protein levels commonly cited between 25 and 30 percent crude protein in vegetative growth stages, which is valuable for antler growth and lactating does in spring and summer as much as fall ^[5]. Fall is actually one of the two best windows to establish clover in Georgia, the other being late winter to early spring (a frost-seeding approach). Plant clover from September 1 through November 1 depending on your region, giving it enough time to establish a root system before the coldest part of winter sets in. Clover seeded too late into cold, wet soil in December often rots or simply sits dormant and gets outcompeted by weeds come spring. Clover needs a well-prepared, firm seedbed and shallow seeding depth, no more than a quarter inch, since the seed is tiny. Most failures come from planting too deep or into loose, fluffy soil where seed-to-soil contact is poor. Clover also responds hard to soil pH; UGA Extension generally recommends a target pH near 6.0 to 6.5 for most clover species, and liming based on an actual soil test is far more reliable than guessing ^[6].

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. Food plots aren't natural browse; they're cultivated fields planted with species chosen for palatability, nutrition, and seasonal timing, similar in principle to a small agricultural field but managed for wildlife instead of harvest for sale. Food plots generally fall into two categories: annual plots (replanted each year, like brassicas, cereal grains, or annual clovers) and perennial plots (clover, chicory, alfalfa) that can produce for three to five years with proper mowing and fertility maintenance. Most Georgia hunters run a mix of both, using perennials for spring and summer nutrition and annuals timed for fall and winter hunting. Before planting anything, a soil test through your local UGA Extension office or a private ag lab is the single highest-value step you can take. It tells you your actual pH and nutrient levels rather than guessing, and it's cheap, usually 6 to 15 dollars depending on the lab and county . If you want a starting point tailored to your specific goals and property type, a Custom Food Plot Plan for 99 dollars one time builds out species, timing, and rates for your zone, though your soil test lab remains the authority on exact lime and fertilizer rates for your dirt. For a broader look at species selection and how food plots fit into an overall deer management plan, see food plot whitetail and deer food plots.

What are deer's favorite foods, and how does that change by season?

Deer preference shifts by season and by what's available naturally, but across food plot studies and extension forage trials, a few species consistently rank at the top: white clover, soybeans, cowpeas, chicory, and brassicas like turnips and radish in fall and winter. Acorns, when available, often outcompete anything you plant, which is why plots near but not directly under heavy mast years can underperform in hunter observation even though the plot itself is fine. In spring and summer, deer favor high-protein forages like clover and soybeans to support antler growth and lactation. In fall and winter, energy-dense carbohydrates matter more, which is exactly why brassicas and cereal grains dominate fall plot strategy; the sugars in frost-sweetened turnips and the starch in oats and wheat provide the calories deer need heading into winter. No single species is a universal favorite everywhere. Regional food availability, soil type, and deer density all change what a herd hits hardest on a given property. For a rundown of specific seed options by goal and season, deer food plot seed and food plot seed break down species by planting window and purpose.

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer eat grain sorghum, and it's used both as a food plot component and, in some regions, as a standing grain crop that provides late-season food and cover. Sorghum is more heat and drought tolerant than corn, which makes it a reasonable option in the sandier, hotter soils of south Georgia's coastal plain. That said, sorghum isn't typically a hunter's first choice for a dedicated fall plot in Georgia. It's planted in late spring to summer as a warm-season crop, not a fall planting, so by the time fall hunting season arrives, a sorghum plot planted correctly is already standing grain rather than something you're seeding in September or October. If you want a fall food source, sorghum planted the previous summer can still be standing and available, but it isn't part of the fall planting window discussed here. Where sorghum shines is as cover combined with food value, since the standing stalks provide screening on field edges through fall and winter, similar to how some hunters use standing corn.

Do deer like honey (honeysuckle, honey locust, or literal honey)?

If the question is about honeysuckle, yes, deer heavily browse Japanese honeysuckle and native honeysuckle vines, and it's considered a preferred natural browse species across the Southeast, especially in winter when other green browse is scarce . It's not something hunters plant in a food plot, but it's worth recognizing on a property since heavy honeysuckle cover often indicates good natural deer habitat nearby. Honey locust pods are also readily eaten by deer in fall, and the trees are sometimes left standing or even planted along field edges specifically for that mast drop. Literal honey (bee honey) isn't part of a deer's natural diet and isn't a food plot ingredient; it doesn't come up in any wildlife forage research because deer have no meaningful interaction with it in the wild.

How do south GA and north GA fall planting dates differ?

The core difference comes down to first frost timing, which shifts the entire fall planting calendar by three to five weeks between the Georgia mountains and the coastal plain. NOAA climate normals put average first frost around October 20 to 25 in the north Georgia mountains, early to mid-November in the middle of the state, and late November to early December along the coast ^[2]. That means a hunter in Rabun or Union County should have brassicas in the ground by early to mid-September to hit that 80 to 90 day maturity window before frost. A hunter in Thomas or Camden County near the Florida line has until early October and still hits the same frost-triggered sweetening in the bulbs. Cereal grains and clover follow the same shifted pattern, just with more flexibility since they're less frost-dependent for palatability than brassicas. If you hunt property in both halves of the state, or you're new to a lease and unsure which zone you fall into, check your county's average first frost date through your local UGA Extension office before locking in a planting date ^[1].

What planting equipment and prep actually matters for fall plots in Georgia?

A soil test is step one, always, before deciding what to plant or how much lime and fertilizer to apply. Skipping it is the single most common reason fall food plots underperform in Georgia's often acidic Piedmont clay and sandy coastal plain soils. Minimum viable equipment is a disk or tiller to break ground, a way to broadcast seed (hand spreader is fine for small plots), and a cultipacker or drag to firm the seedbed after seeding. A no-till drill is nice to have but not required for most fall annuals; brassicas, oats, and wheat all establish fine broadcast into a prepared bed. Lime takes time to adjust soil pH, often 3 to 6 months to fully react, so if your soil test comes back needing a full ton or two per acre of lime, applying it in spring for a fall planting gives it time to work. Applying lime the same week you plant in September does very little for that season's crop; it's an investment in next year's soil more than this year's plot. For equipment-specific guidance and gear comparisons, see domain food plot seed and deer for food for species selection tied to what you're already running for equipment.

Do Georgia's baiting and feeding rules affect food plots?

Food plots are legal and widely used across Georgia and are treated differently from bait piles or supplemental feed under state hunting regulations. Georgia's Department of Natural Resources defines baiting restrictions separately from planted forage; a properly planted and maintained food plot is not considered bait under Georgia regulations, but hunters should confirm current rules each season since wildlife agency regulations get updated annually . That said, rules on feeders, mineral sites, and supplemental feeding (as opposed to planted plots) can differ by county in Georgia, particularly regarding Chronic Wasting Disease management zones. Always check the current Georgia hunting regulations guide published by Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division before setting up feeders or mineral stations alongside your food plots, since those rules are more restrictive and more likely to change than food plot legality itself .

Frequently asked questions

When should I plant fall food plots in Georgia?

Between mid-August and late October depending on your region. North Georgia mountain counties should target mid-August to mid-September for brassicas and mid-September to mid-October for grains and clover. South Georgia can wait until late September through early November for the same species, since first frost arrives three to five weeks later there.

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer readily eat grain sorghum, both from planted plots and as browse on wild or naturalized stands. It's more of a summer-planted, heat-tolerant crop than a fall planting option, and it's more common in south Georgia's sandier soils than as a standard fall food plot species.

Do deer eat clover, and is it worth planting?

Yes, clover ranks among the most preferred deer forages, with crude protein commonly measured between 25 and 30 percent in vegetative growth. It's a strong perennial choice for Georgia food plots and can produce for three to five years with proper liming, mowing, and fertility maintenance based on annual soil tests.

When should I plant oats for deer in Georgia?

Plant oats between mid-September (north Georgia) and late October (south Georgia). Oats germinate fast, often within 5 to 7 days, but they're less cold-hardy than wheat or cereal rye and can die back in a hard winter freeze, so many hunters blend oats with wheat for season-long durability.

When to plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 80 to 90 days before you want them mature, which lands in mid-August to mid-September for most of Georgia. Turnips need a hard frost to convert starches to sugars in the bulb, which is why deer often ignore them until late November or December after the first freezes hit.

What is a food plot exactly?

A food plot is a planted patch, often a quarter acre to several acres, seeded specifically to provide deer and other wildlife with supplemental forage. Plots split into annuals (replanted yearly, like brassicas and cereal grains) and perennials (clover, chicory) that can last three to five seasons with maintenance.

What do deer prefer to eat most?

No single food wins everywhere, but white clover, soybeans, cowpeas, chicory, and fall brassicas consistently rank high in forage preference research. Natural mast, especially acorns, often outcompetes planted forage in heavy mast years, which can make a good plot look underused simply because deer have better options nearby that season.

Do deer like honey or honeysuckle?

Deer don't eat literal honey; it isn't part of their natural diet. They do heavily browse honeysuckle vines, especially in winter when green forage is scarce, and honey locust pods are also a preferred fall food source, though neither is something hunters plant in a food plot.

What's the best food plot seed for fall in Georgia?

A blend works better than a single species in most cases. Common combinations include oats or wheat with a brassica like turnips or radish, giving fast early green-up plus a frost-sweetened late-season food source. Add clover on a separate perennial plot if you want spring and summer nutrition too.

How late is too late to plant a fall food plot in GA?

For brassicas, planting after early October in north Georgia or after mid-October in south Georgia usually means the bulbs won't mature before hard frost. Cereal grains and clover have more flexibility since they don't need the same maturity window, but germination slows significantly once soil temps drop below 50 degrees.

Do I need a soil test before planting a fall food plot?

Yes. A soil test, typically 6 to 15 dollars through a county extension office or private lab, tells you actual pH and nutrient levels rather than guessing. Georgia soils vary widely from acidic Piedmont clay to sandy coastal plain, and lime or fertilizer applied blind often wastes money or underperforms.

Are food plots legal in Georgia, and are they considered baiting?

Food plots are legal and are not classified as bait under Georgia hunting regulations, unlike feeders or bait piles. Rules around supplemental feeding and mineral sites can be more restrictive, especially in Chronic Wasting Disease management areas, so check the current Georgia DNR hunting regulations guide each season.

Sources

1. UGA Extension, Georgia Plant Hardiness Zones: Georgia spans USDA plant hardiness zones 7a through 8b, driving regional planting timing differences
2. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate Normals: First frost dates vary from late October in north Georgia mountains to late November/early December along the coast
3. UGA Extension, Brassicas for Deer Food Plots: Brassica bulbs and greens become more palatable to deer after frost converts starches to sugars
4. UGA Extension, Clover Forage for Wildlife: Clover provides crude protein commonly in the 25 to 30 percent range during vegetative growth
5. UGA Extension, Soil Testing and Liming: Target soil pH for most clover species is roughly 6.0 to 6.5
6. USDA Forest Service, Fire Effects Information System: Lonicera japonica: Japanese honeysuckle is a preferred winter browse species for white-tailed deer across the Southeast