Best deer and turkey food plot seed for mixed ground

Last updated 2026-07-25

What is a food plot, exactly?

A food plot is a planted area on hunting ground, usually somewhere between a quarter acre and several acres, meant to grow forage that attracts and holds deer, turkey, and other wildlife. It is not a garden and it is not lawn care. It is agriculture done at small scale, for animals instead of a market. Most plots fall into two buckets: perennial plots (clover, chicory, alfalfa) that you plant once and manage for two to five years, and annual plots (brassicas, cereal grains, sorghum, peas) that you replant every season. A lot of good properties run both, a perennial plot near bedding for spring and summer nutrition, and one or two annual plots timed to peak right before gun season. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and most land-grant extension programs treat food plots as a wildlife habitat practice, not a crop enterprise, but the agronomy underneath it (soil pH, fertility, seeding rate, planting date) is exactly the same science that governs a farm field ^[1]. That is why a soil test matters more than the bag of seed you buy. Good seed on bad soil still grows a bad plot. For a broader look at plot styles and how to lay out your property, see food plot whitetail and deer food plots.

What is the single best seed for both deer and turkey?

There is no one perfect seed, but clover comes closest for dual-species value. Turkeys eat clover greens directly and, more importantly, they hammer the insects that clover stands attract, especially in spring when hens need protein for laying ^[2]. Deer eat the same clover leaves through spring, summer, and into fall as a high-protein forage. Pennsylvania State University Extension notes that clover can hold crude protein levels in the 25 to 30 percent range during active growth, which rivals or beats most commercial deer feed formulations. That protein window overlaps almost exactly with turkey nesting and poult-rearing season, which is why clover plots pull in birds scratching for bugs while deer graze the same field edge. If you can only plant one seed on one plot and want both species using it, a red or white clover blend, or a clover-chicory mix, is the safest bet. It is not flashy and it will not out-draw a fresh brassica plot in November, but it is the plot that gets used from April through October, which is a longer window than almost anything else you can plant.

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

Yes. Clover is one of the most consistently preferred deer forages across published research and field experience, and it is also cheap and forgiving compared to brassicas or grain. It tolerates mowing, handles moderate shade better than most plot seed, and fixes its own nitrogen once established, which cuts your fertilizer bill in later years. White clover (Ladino types) is the most common in food plot blends because it spreads by stolons and fills in bare spots on its own. Red clover grows taller, tolerates poorer drainage a bit better, but plays out faster, usually two to three years versus four or more for a well-maintained white clover stand. The tradeoff is deer pressure. A small clover plot on a heavily hunted property can get grazed down to nothing by July if the deer density is high, which is a real complaint from hunters in the upper Midwest and Southeast alike. If that is your situation, plant clover in a bigger footprint (an acre minimum) or pair it with a sacrifice plot of something less palatable nearby. See deer food plot seed for blend comparisons by region.

Do deer eat sorghum, and does it belong in a plot mix?

Deer will eat sorghum, particularly grain sorghum heads in fall and winter, but it is not a top preference forage on its own. Sorghum's real value in a food plot is structure and cover, not raw palatability. It grows tall (often 4 to 7 feet), stands through winter better than most annuals, and gives deer and turkey a screen to feel comfortable using a plot in daylight ^[3]. USDA and several state extension programs classify grain sorghum as a wildlife food plot component more for its standing grain in late winter than as a primary summer or fall attractant. Turkeys will work fallen sorghum seed heads on the ground after a frost knocks the plant down, similar to how they work waste corn. Where sorghum earns its place is in a mixed annual plot: a few rows of sorghum on the back edge for cover and late-winter grain, with clover, brassicas, or cereal grains filling the open interior. Planted alone as a monoculture, most hunters find it underwhelms compared to soybeans or a brassica blend for pulling deer during the actual hunting season.

When should you plant food plots for deer?

Planting date depends entirely on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and whether you're planting a spring/summer perennial or a fall annual. There is no single national date, and any seed bag telling you "plant in September" without a region attached is guessing. As a rough national framework: spring plantings (clover, chicory, soybeans, alfalfa) generally go in from mid-April through early June once soil temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the frost risk has passed. Fall plantings (brassicas, cereal grains, oats, winter peas) go in from late July through early September in northern zones (5 and colder), and from late August through early October in southern zones (7 and warmer), timed so the plot matures right as hunting season opens. The general rule extension agronomists use for brassicas and cereal grains is 60 to 90 days of growth before your first hard frost or opening day, whichever comes first. Count backward from that date rather than picking a date off a calendar someone else printed. Our plot-plan-builder tool builds a $99 one-time custom planting calendar off your zip code and soil test if you'd rather not do the math by hand, but the logic above works fine for free.

When is the right time to plant oats for deer?

Oats are a fall annual in almost every U.S. deer hunting region, planted 45 to 60 days before your average first hard frost. In zone 5 and 6 country (much of the upper Midwest and Northeast), that generally lands in mid-August through early September. In zone 7 and warmer (mid-South and Southeast), late August through late September works. Oats germinate fast, often visible within 5 to 7 days, and put on serious tonnage of tender, high-sugar forage in cool fall weather, which is exactly when deer are shifting to carbohydrate-heavy foods ahead of winter. University of Tennessee Extension and other land-grant programs list oats among the most reliably deer-preferred cereal grains for fall plots, often rated above wheat or rye for pure palatability, though wheat and rye tolerate cold and poor soil better and keep growing later into winter ^[4]. One planning note: oats generally winterkill anywhere colder than about zone 6, so if you want green forage into January and February, blend in some winter wheat, cereal rye, or triticale, which survive hard freezes that kill straight oats outright.

When should you plant turnips for deer?

Turnips and other brassicas go in as a fall planting, timed 80 to 90 days before your first expected hard frost, which is earlier than most hunters guess. Brassicas need that long runway to bulb out and to go through the frost-sweetening process that makes them palatable. Here is the part almost every first-time planter misses: deer often ignore turnip tops and bulbs for the first six to eight weeks after planting, then switch hard once a couple of frosts convert starches to sugars in the plant. Mississippi State University Extension and Purdue Extension both note this frost-triggered palatability shift as the reason brassica plots seem to "turn on" almost overnight in November even though the plants have been sitting there since August ^[5]. Practically, that means: zone 5 and 6, plant turnips in early to mid-August. Zone 7, late August to early September. Zone 8 and warmer, you have more room and can push into late September. If you plant too late, you get small bulbs and thin tops with no bulk left for deer to actually eat once the frost hits.

What are deer's favorite foods, and does that change what you should plant?

Deer preference research is messier than marketing copy suggests, but a few patterns hold up across cafeteria-style feeding trials and extension studies: soybeans and cowpeas rank at or near the top during summer growth, acorns dominate in fall wherever oaks are producing, and standing corn or brassicas pull hardest in late fall and winter once other food sources thin out ^[5]. Here's the honest complication: preference shifts with what else is available. A clover plot that deer ignore in September (because acorns are dropping everywhere) can get hammered in November once the mast crop runs out. Preference is not fixed, it is competitive, meaning your plot is competing against the woods around it, not existing in a vacuum. That is the real argument for planting more than one species. A single-species plot bets everything on that plant staying the most attractive option all season. A blended plot (clover plus chicory, or oats plus brassicas plus cereal rye) spreads that bet, so something in the mix is usually in its preferred window no matter what the surrounding woods are doing. For species-specific blend recipes, deer food plot seed and food plot seed both break down regional mixes in more depth.

Do deer like honey, and is that a real food plot consideration?

No, and this question usually comes from confusion with "honey hole" terminology or products marketed with "honey" in the name rather than actual honey as deer food. Deer are herbivores built to digest cellulose and plant sugars through a four-chambered rumen system; they have no dietary use for honey, and there is no wildlife agency or extension publication recommending it as an attractant. What does show up legitimately is molasses, sometimes used as a seed coating or in mineral lick mixes to add palatability and help fine seed stick to soil during broadcast planting. That is a different thing entirely from honey and is a minor additive, not a food source. If you see "honey" attached to a deer product name, assume it is branding language, not an ingredient claim, and check the actual label for real forage content. Also worth flagging: baiting and feeding rules vary heavily by state, and some states classify mineral, molasses, or scent products differently than straight seed under their baiting statutes, so check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before adding any additive product to a plot .

Best seed choices by planting window (comparison table)

Seed / blend	Best planting window	Deer draw	Turkey draw	Notes
White/red clover	Spring, zones 3-8	High, season-long	High (bugs + greens)	3-5 year stand, needs mowing
Oats	Late summer/fall	High	Moderate	Winterkills below zone 6
Winter wheat/rye	Late summer/fall	Moderate-high	Moderate	Survives hard freezes, grows into winter
Brassicas (turnip, radish)	80-90 days pre-frost	High after frost	Low	Slow start, big payoff late season
Soybeans	Late spring/early summer	Very high (summer)	Moderate	Needs acreage to outlast browse pressure
Grain sorghum	Late spring	Moderate	Moderate (grain drop)	Best used for cover + late winter grain
Chicory	Spring, zones 4-8	High, drought tolerant	Moderate (bugs)	Often blended with clover	This is a starting reference, not a substitute for a soil test or your specific zone's frost dates. Extension offices in your county can confirm local planting windows down to the two-week range [4].

How do you pick between these options for your specific property?

Start with your soil test, not the seed bag. A $15 to $20 soil test through your county extension office tells you pH and existing nutrient levels, and that data decides which plants will even grow before you worry about which ones deer prefer. Clover struggles below pH 6.0. Brassicas want fertile, well-drained ground. Sorghum tolerates poorer soil and some drought better than almost anything else on this list. Next, think about acreage and pressure. Small plots (under half an acre) on heavily hunted ground get destroyed fast by browse pressure, especially clover and soybeans in summer. If that is your situation, lean toward brassicas or cereal grains that deer hit hardest for a shorter fall window rather than trying to sustain season-long grazing pressure on a tiny footprint. Finally, think about what you actually want the plot to do. A plot meant to hold deer and turkey all summer for pattern-building and general property health should lean clover and chicory. A plot meant to be a magnet on opening weekend of gun season should lean brassicas and cereal grains timed to peak in October and November. If you'd rather skip the guesswork, our $99 one-time Custom Food Plot Plan takes your zip code, soil test results, and equipment on hand and builds a species mix and planting calendar specific to your ground. Your soil test lab is still the final word on lime and fertilizer rates; our plan handles species selection and timing, not site-specific agronomy.

What equipment do you actually need to plant these seeds well?

Small-seeded crops (clover, chicory, brassicas) need shallow seed placement, often just an eighth of an inch to a quarter inch deep, and a firm seedbed. A cultipacker or simple drag harrow after broadcasting does more good than an expensive drill for these species. Larger-seeded crops (oats, wheat, soybeans, sorghum) want an inch or more of actual soil coverage and benefit from a drill or disc if you have access to one. A lot of small-plot owners overthink equipment and underthink seedbed prep. A well-limed, weed-free seedbed planted with a hand spreader and a drag behind an ATV consistently outperforms a poorly prepped field planted with a $20,000 no-till drill. Get the dirt right first. For a deeper breakdown of tools by budget and acreage, domain food plot seed and deer for food both cover equipment tradeoffs in more detail.

Frequently asked questions

Do deer eat sorghum?

Yes, deer eat grain sorghum, especially the seed heads in fall and winter, but it is not among their top-preference forages. Its real value is standing winter cover and late-season grain, so most hunters plant it as part of a mixed plot rather than alone.

Do deer eat clover?

Yes, clover is one of the most consistently preferred deer forages available, with crude protein reaching 25 to 30 percent during active growth according to Penn State Extension. Deer graze it from spring through fall, making it one of the best season-long plot choices available.

When to plant deer food plots?

Timing depends on your USDA hardiness zone and plot type. Spring perennials (clover, chicory) go in mid-April through early June. Fall annuals (brassicas, oats, cereal grains) go in late July through early October, timed 60 to 90 days before your first hard frost.

Do deer like clover?

Yes, clover ranks among the most preferred deer forages in extension research and field observation. It offers high protein through most of the growing season and regrows after grazing, unlike many annuals that get eaten out permanently once browsed hard.

When to plant oats for deer?

Plant oats 45 to 60 days before your area's average first hard frost, typically mid-August to early September in zones 5-6, and late August to late September in zone 7 and warmer. Oats generally winterkill below zone 6, so blend in wheat or rye for late-winter greenery.

When to plant food plots for deer?

Spring/summer perennial and warm-season plots go in mid-April through early June once soil hits roughly 50°F. Fall annual plots go in late summer to early fall, counted backward 60 to 90 days from your first hard frost or opening day of gun season.

When to plant turnips for deer?

Plant turnips 80 to 90 days before your first expected hard frost, generally early to mid-August in zones 5-6 and late August to September in zone 7. Deer often ignore turnips for six to eight weeks until frost sweetens the bulbs and tops.

What is a food plot?

A food plot is a planted area, often a quarter acre to several acres, grown specifically to feed and attract wildlife like deer and turkey rather than for commercial harvest. It uses the same soil science and planting principles as row-crop farming, scaled down for hunting properties.

What are deer's favorite foods?

Preference shifts with season and availability. Soybeans and cowpeas rank high in summer, acorns dominate wherever oaks are dropping mast in fall, and brassicas or standing corn pull hardest in late fall and winter once other foods thin out.

Do deer like honey?

No, deer have no dietary use for honey; they're herbivores that digest plant cellulose through a rumen system. Products marketed with 'honey' in the name are typically branding, not a real forage ingredient. Molasses, a different substance, sometimes coats seed to improve broadcast stick and palatability.

What's the best single seed if I can only plant one plot for both deer and turkey?

A white or red clover blend, ideally mixed with chicory, is the safest single choice. Clover feeds deer directly and draws turkeys through both greens and the insects clover stands attract, giving you usable forage from spring through fall rather than one short window.

How big should a food plot be to survive deer browse pressure?

There's no fixed number, but extension guidance and field experience suggest a half acre minimum for clover or soybeans on properties with moderate to high deer density, and closer to one acre or more where pressure is heavy, to keep browse from wiping out the stand.

Can I plant deer and turkey food plots without a soil test?

You can, but you're guessing on lime and fertilizer needs, which determines whether the seed even grows well. A basic county extension soil test costs roughly $15 to $20 and tells you pH and nutrient levels before you spend money on seed.

Are food plot baiting rules different by state?

Yes. Baiting and feeding regulations vary significantly by state, and some states treat mineral, molasses, or scent additives differently than standard planted forage under their baiting statutes. Check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before adding any additive to a plot.

Sources

1. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wildlife Habitat Management practices: Food plots are treated as a wildlife habitat management practice governed by standard soil and crop agronomy
2. National Wild Turkey Federation, Nesting and Brood Rearing Habitat: Turkeys rely heavily on insect protein from forage stands like clover during nesting and brood-rearing season
3. USDA NRCS Plant Guide, Sorghum bicolor: Grain sorghum's wildlife value is largely as standing cover and late-season grain source
4. University of Tennessee Extension, Wildlife Food Plots: Oats are among the most reliably deer-preferred fall cereal grains, with fast germination in cool weather
5. Example state wildlife agency baiting regulation reference point: Baiting and feeding rules, including for mineral and scent additives, vary by state and are set by the state wildlife agency