When to plant food plots in arkansas: a zone-by-zone guide

Last updated 2026-07-26

when to plant food plots in Arkansas

The short answer: fall plots go in the ground between August 15 and September 30, and warm-season plots go in between May 1 and June 15. Arkansas spans two USDA hardiness zones, 6b in the northern highlands and 7b-8a in the southern Delta and Gulf Coastal Plain, so your actual window shifts by two to three weeks depending on where your ground sits. That shift matters more than most planting calendars let on, because a blend that's perfect timing in the Ozarks can go in three weeks too early down in the Delta and burn up in September heat. Most Arkansas deer hunters care about one planting window above the rest: the fall plot that's up and growing by the archery opener. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has set archery deer season to open in late September in recent years, with modern gun season starting in mid-November in most zones ^[1]. That means you want brassicas and cereal grains planted by early September in the north and mid-September in the south so they've got leaf mass by opening weekend. The other window, often ignored until it's too late, is the spring/summer planting for warm-season annuals and perennial establishment. Soybeans, cowpeas, and sorghum need warm soil, at least 60°F, and no frost risk, which usually means waiting until early May in the Delta and mid-May in the Ozarks ^[2].

what is a food plot, exactly

A food plot is a planted plot of forage, usually a half acre to five acres, established specifically to feed and attract deer or other wildlife on a piece of hunting ground. It's not the same as a pasture or a crop field, even though the seed and equipment often overlap. Food plots do two jobs at once. A destination plot near thick cover is meant to pull deer into shooting range during hunting season, planted with something deer will eat down to nothing, like brassicas or clover. A nutrition or throw-and-grow plot, often bigger and farther from stand sites, is meant to add pounds to the herd over spring and summer without getting hunted hard. In Arkansas specifically, food plots matter because native browse quality drops hard in late summer heat and again in deep winter. A well timed plot fills those nutritional gaps when acorns are inconsistent or native forbs go dormant.

when to plant deer food plots by region in Arkansas

Ozarks/North Arkansas	Oct 10-20	Aug 15-Sep 10	May 10-Jun 10
River Valley/Central	Oct 20-Nov 1	Aug 25-Sep 20	May 1-Jun 15
Delta/South Arkansas	Nov 1-15	Sep 5-Sep 30	Apr 20-Jun 15	These are working ranges, not guarantees. Every fall in Arkansas has at least one year where a September dry spell delays germination two or three weeks, so watch your local forecast instead of planting on autopilot by the calendar.

Arkansas breaks into three rough planting zones for food plot purposes: the Ozark/Ozark Plateau north, the River Valley/central belt, and the Delta/Gulf Coastal Plain south. Frost dates drive almost everything here. According to NOAA climate normals, the average first fall frost runs from around October 15-20 in the northern counties to November 5-15 in the far southeast Delta counties ^[3]. Work backward from that date: most fall blend components (oats, wheat, brassicas, clover) want 45-60 days of growth before a hard frost slows them down. | Region | First fall frost (avg) | Fall plot window | Spring/summer plot window |

when to plant oats for deer in Arkansas

Plant oats for deer in Arkansas between August 15 and September 20, depending on your region, aiming for 45 days of growth before your first hard freeze. Oats germinate fast, often in 5-7 days with decent soil moisture, and they're one of the most reliable cool-season cereal grains for fall attraction plots. Oats winterkill in Arkansas's colder northern counties most years once temperatures drop into the teens for extended stretches, but they'll often persist into December or later in the Delta and southern half of the state where winters run milder. If you want a grain that survives all winter into spring, wheat or cereal rye is the safer choice for northern Arkansas; oats are best treated as an early-fall attraction and nutrition plot rather than a year-round stand. Drill oats at 2-3 bushels per acre (roughly 96-144 lbs) or broadcast at a slightly heavier rate, then cover lightly, no more than half an inch deep. Oats planted too deep simply won't come up.

when to plant turnips for deer in Arkansas

Turnips go in the ground in Arkansas between mid-August and mid-September, same general window as other brassicas. They need 80-90 days to bulb out fully, so counting backward from your average first frost date matters more with turnips than with almost anything else you'll plant. Turnips are a two-stage food source. Deer hit the leafy tops hard in October and November, often before the bulbs are even mature, then come back for the bulbs themselves after a couple of hard frosts sweeten the starches into sugars. That's why turnips planted too late in Arkansas (say, early October) often get grazed to nubs before the bulb ever forms, wasting half the plant's value. Soil prep matters more with turnips than people expect. They want a firm, fine seedbed and light coverage, no more than a quarter inch deep, plus decent phosphorus and potassium levels. This is exactly the kind of decision your soil test should be driving. If your test comes back low on P and K, a turnip-heavy blend without correcting fertility first is money down the drain.

do deer eat sorghum

Yes, deer eat sorghum, both the grain heads and the young leafy growth, and it's a legitimate warm-season food plot option in Arkansas, especially in the Delta where summer heat and drought stress kill off softer plants like soybeans. Sorghum (grain sorghum, also called milo) also doubles as standing cover into fall and winter, which matters on open ground with little natural screening. Deer preference for sorghum generally runs lower than for soybeans or cowpeas when all three are available side by side ^[4]. Where sorghum earns its spot is drought tolerance and structure. It'll produce a crop on ground that would burn up a bean field, and the standing stalks give deer (and you) cover through late fall. Plant grain sorghum from May through early June once soil temps hit 65°F, at roughly 6-8 lbs per acre if drilled. It's a fine mix partner with cowpeas or soybeans in a Delta plot, less useful as a stand-alone destination plot up in the Ozarks where soybeans usually outperform it.

do deer eat clover, and do deer like clover

Yes, deer eat clover readily and it consistently ranks among the most preferred food plot forages available, both white clovers (ladino, Durana) and red clover. Clover is also one of the few plot species that gives you spring, summer, and fall nutrition from a single planting if you maintain it. Clover's protein content, typically 20-30% crude protein in vegetative growth, is a big part of why deer favor it, especially during antler growth and lactation in spring and summer ^[5]. In Arkansas, perennial white clover plots planted in early fall (September) or early spring (March-April) can produce for three to five years with proper mowing, liming, and weed control. The catch with clover in Arkansas is summer heat and drought. Ladino and other white clovers can go dormant or thin out hard during July-August dry spells in the Delta and River Valley, especially on ground without irrigation. If you're in the hotter, drier half of the state, plan on it slowing down mid-summer and bouncing back with fall rains rather than expecting steady production all year.

what are deer's favorite foods

Deer preference studies and browse surveys generally put soybeans, clover, and cowpeas at the top of planted food plot options, with acorns (especially white oak) ranked as a heavily preferred natural food source where available ^[6]. Preference shifts by season though; a food deer loves in July isn't necessarily what they want in December. In practical Arkansas terms: spring and summer, deer favor high-protein forages like clover, soybeans, and cowpeas. Fall, as acorns drop and bucks finish antler growth, mast (acorns) often outcompetes anything you plant, which is a real frustration for hunters who plant a great fall plot only to watch deer bypass it during a heavy acorn year. Winter, when mast is gone and natural browse is thin, brassicas (turnips, radishes) and cereal grains become the draw, especially after a few frosts sweeten them. There's no single "favorite" food that beats all others in every season and every property. Soil, local mast conditions, and deer density on your specific ground change the answer more than any national ranking does.

do deer like honey (honey locust, honeysuckle, and other 'honey' plants)

Deer don't eat honey itself; they're not attracted to the substance bees make. What people usually mean by this question is honey locust pods and honeysuckle, both real deer foods in Arkansas woods. Honey locust trees drop sugary seed pods in fall that whitetails eat heavily where the trees grow, and Japanese honeysuckle, an invasive vine common across the state, gets browsed hard through fall and winter when it stays green after other browse goes dormant. Neither is something you'd plant in a food plot in the conventional sense (honeysuckle is invasive and many states discourage planting it), but both explain why deer congregate around certain unplanted edges on Arkansas ground. If you're trying to build a plot from scratch, stick to purpose-bred forage species (clover, brassicas, beans, cereal grains) rather than trying to establish honey locust or honeysuckle as a food source. They're worth recognizing on your property, not worth planting.

how do I choose species for my Arkansas plot

Start with your soil test, not the seed bag. Arkansas soils run acidic in a lot of counties, particularly in the Ozarks and parts of the Delta, and most food plot species want a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for decent nutrient uptake . If your test comes back at 5.2, no amount of fertilizer fixes that until lime gets applied and has time to work, often 3-6 months depending on how much you need. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension recommends testing soil regularly for managed ground, more often if you're pushing hard on lime and fertilizer corrections . A basic test costs $10-20 through most county extension offices and tells you pH, phosphorus, potassium, and often organic matter, which is the information that should actually decide your species mix. From there, match species to purpose and season. A destination plot for archery season wants brassicas or clover. A summer nutrition plot wants beans, cowpeas, or sorghum. A plot you want to last multiple years without replanting wants perennial clover or chicory over annuals. If you want a starting point built around your specific soil results, acreage, and goals, a Custom Food Plot Plan runs $99 one-time and gives you a species and timing plan instead of guessing off a bag label.

does Arkansas have baiting or feeding rules that affect food plots

Standing food plots are legal to hunt over in Arkansas and are not treated as baiting, but piled or spread feed (corn, mineral, protein pellets) is regulated separately and restricted in Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zones. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission maintains active CWD zones with feeding and baiting restrictions that change periodically, so check current regulations for your county before assuming statewide rules apply. The distinction that matters: a planted, rooted crop (your food plot) is fundamentally different in the eyes of most state agencies from bait piles or feeders, even though both attract deer. Arkansas's regulation focuses on supplemental feeding and mineral sites within CWD zones, not on food plots themselves, but rules do change from season to season as CWD management adapts. Always check the current AGFC hunting guide before your season starts, especially if your lease sits inside or near a management zone.

how much should I plant, and what does it cost

Most Arkansas food plot hunters plant somewhere between a half acre and three acres per plot, with total plot acreage on a typical lease running 2-5% of total property size as a rule of thumb used by many wildlife managers, though there's no hard regulation behind that number, it's practical guidance, not law. Seed costs vary widely by species. Clover blends often run $15-30 per pound at a seeding rate of 6-8 lbs per acre, brassica blends run similar per-acre costs, and soybean or cowpea seed for a one-acre plot commonly costs $40-80 depending on variety and whether it's Roundup Ready. Add lime (often $30-40 per ton delivered, and heavy Arkansas clay soils sometimes need 1-2 tons per acre) and fertilizer, and a modest one-acre plot easily runs $150-300 all-in once you count seed, soil amendments, and fuel. Equipment is the bigger variable. A no-till drill rental or a used ATV disc setup can turn a marginal, weedy plot into a productive one, which is worth exploring before assuming you need a full tractor setup. For gear comparisons and setup guidance, see equipment and methods resources before you buy anything.

what if I miss my planting window

If you miss the ideal fall window in Arkansas, you've got real options, but they come with tradeoffs. Planting brassicas or cereal grains two to three weeks late in the Ozarks usually means less tonnage before frost slows growth, not total failure. In the Delta, where the season runs later anyway, a slightly late planting has more room to recover. One fix worth considering: swap species. If you're too late for turnips (which need 80-90 days), pivot to something faster, like cereal rye or winter wheat, which can still put on usable growth in 30-40 days even planted into early October in southern Arkansas. The other option is accepting a summer-focused plot instead and doubling down on next year's fall timing. A missed fall plot isn't a wasted season if you use it to fix soil pH, control weeds, and get organized for a spring soybean or clover planting instead.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant food plots in Arkansas?

Fall plots go in August 15 through September 30, timed 45-60 days before your area's first frost. Spring and summer plots go in May 1 through mid-June once soil hits 60°F. Northern Arkansas (Ozarks) runs about two weeks earlier in fall and later in spring than the southern Delta.

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes. Deer eat both the grain heads and young leafy growth of sorghum, and it works well as a drought-tolerant warm-season plot option in Arkansas's Delta region. Deer generally prefer soybeans and cowpeas over sorghum when given a choice, but sorghum handles heat and dry soil better than either.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most preferred food plot forages for deer, providing 20-30% crude protein during active growth. White clovers like ladino and Durana, plus red clover, all get heavy use in Arkansas plots, though summer drought can slow growth in the hotter southern half of the state.

Do deer like clover more than other plot options?

Clover consistently ranks near the top of deer preference studies alongside soybeans and cowpeas. It's especially valuable because a single planting can feed deer across spring, summer, and fall, unlike many annuals that serve only one season.

When should I plant oats for deer in Arkansas?

Plant oats between August 15 and September 20 depending on your region, giving them 45 days of growth before a hard freeze. Oats germinate in 5-7 days and provide strong early fall attraction, though they often winterkill in northern Arkansas's colder stretches.

When should I plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips mid-August through mid-September in Arkansas. They need 80-90 days to bulb, and deer hit the leafy tops first, then the bulbs after a few hard frosts sweeten the starches. Planting later than mid-September risks the bulbs never fully forming before frost.

What is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted area, usually a half acre to five acres, established to feed and attract deer or other wildlife on hunting ground. Plots range from small destination plots near stands to larger nutrition plots meant to boost herd health through spring and summer.

What are deer's favorite foods?

White oak acorns rank as a top natural preference where available. Among planted options, soybeans, clover, and cowpeas consistently rank highest in preference studies. Preference shifts by season: high-protein legumes in spring/summer, brassicas and cereal grains once mast drops and cold weather sets in.

Do deer like honey?

Deer aren't attracted to honey itself. People usually mean honey locust pods or honeysuckle, both real Arkansas deer foods. Honey locust drops sugary pods deer eat heavily in fall, and honeysuckle stays green and gets browsed through winter when other plants go dormant.

Is planting a food plot considered baiting in Arkansas?

No, a standing planted food plot is not treated as baiting under Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rules. Piled or spread feed like corn or mineral is a separate category and is restricted in active CWD Management Zones, so check current zone rules for your county.

How much does it cost to plant a food plot in Arkansas?

A modest one-acre plot typically costs $150-300 total once you count seed ($40-80 for beans or cowpeas, $15-30 per pound for clover), lime ($30-40 per ton, often 1-2 tons needed on Arkansas clay), and basic fertilizer, before counting fuel or equipment rental.

What soil pH do food plots need in Arkansas?

Most food plot species want soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Many Arkansas soils, especially in the Ozarks and parts of the Delta, run more acidic than that naturally, so lime application based on a current soil test is usually the first step before planting.

Can I plant a summer food plot if I missed the spring window?

Yes, in most of Arkansas you can plant warm-season annuals like soybeans, cowpeas, or sorghum into mid-June and still get a productive plot, since soil is already warm. Pushing much past mid-June increases drought stress risk before the plot matures.

Sources

1. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Soybean Production Handbook (MP197): Warm-season crops in Arkansas require warm soil before planting
2. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals: Average first fall frost dates range from mid-October in northern Arkansas to early-to-mid November in the southern Delta
3. Oklahoma State University Extension, Food Plots for Deer (NREM-9007): Grain sorghum ranks as a secondary preference for deer compared to legumes like soybeans and cowpeas
4. USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, General Technical Report SRS-247, White-tailed Deer Food Habits: White oak acorns rank among the most preferred natural deer foods where available
5. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Soil Test Interpretation (FSA-2118): Most food plot forage species require soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for adequate nutrient uptake
6. University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Soil Testing for the Farmer (FSA-2100): Extension recommends regular soil testing for managed plot ground