A food plot is a planted area managed to provide a supplemental food source for wild animals, most often game species like white-tailed deer and wild turkey. Unlike traditional agriculture, the goal is not crop yield for human consumption but the nutritional benefit and attraction of wildlife within a broader habitat management strategy. These cultivated areas use agricultural forages instead of native plants to enhance the local ecosystem’s carrying capacity. The practice involves selecting specific plants to meet the seasonal dietary needs of target species, forming a strategically positioned component of a property’s overall wildlife plan.
The Core Purpose of Food Plots
The primary function of a food plot is to augment the natural forage base, which often declines in quality or quantity during certain times of the year. Providing a consistent supply of high-quality vegetation improves the nutritional health of the local animal population. This is important during periods of biological stress, such as late summer when natural browse is dry and low in protein, or late winter and early spring when energy reserves are depleted.
For many species, especially deer, supplemental nutrition supports reproductive success and physical development. High-protein forage supports the energy demands of antler growth in males and milk production for fawns in females. Food plots also serve as a strategic management tool by influencing animal movement patterns. Landowners use them to attract, hold, and distribute animals, concentrating them for viewing or sustainable harvesting.
Categories of Food Plot Plantings
Food plot plantings are segmented into two major categories based on their nutritional profile and the season they thrive.
Cool-Season Plots
Cool-season plots are typically planted in late summer or fall to provide forage throughout the winter and early spring. These often consist of green-browse forages that remain palatable after a frost, such as the brassica family, which includes turnips, radishes, and kale. Brassicas are favored because cold weather converts their starches into sugars, increasing their palatability and providing a rich source of energy.
Another common type of cool-season planting is perennial legumes, such as clovers and alfalfa, which offer high protein content, sometimes exceeding 30 percent. These legumes are often mixed with cereal grains like winter wheat, oats, or cereal rye. The grains serve as a nurse crop to protect the seedlings and provide immediate forage. The focus of cool-season plots is to maintain body condition and provide energy when other food sources are scarce.
Warm-Season Plots
Warm-season plots are planted in the spring and provide maximum nutrition during the summer months when does are nursing fawns and bucks are growing antlers. These plots prioritize high protein to support rapid growth and recovery from winter stress. Popular warm-season choices include legumes like soybeans, cowpeas, and lablab, known for their high protein levels and palatability. Grains like corn and milo are also used in warm-season mixes, providing high-carbohydrate energy reserves that can persist into the winter, often standing above the snow.
Basic Steps for Establishing a Plot
Successful establishment begins with careful site selection, as the chosen location dictates the plot’s potential productivity. Ideal sites are relatively flat to prevent erosion, offer good drainage, and are situated near natural cover or bedding areas to encourage daytime use. The area must also receive a minimum of five to six hours of direct sunlight daily for most high-quality forage species to flourish.
The most important preliminary step is conducting a professional soil test to determine the existing pH and nutrient profile. Most agricultural forages require a soil pH between 6.5 and 7.5 for optimal nutrient uptake; without this, applied fertilizers will be largely inaccessible. The soil test results indicate the precise amount of lime needed to adjust the pH and the specific nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) fertilizer required.
The next step involves clearing the area of existing vegetation and debris, followed by preparing a fine, firm seedbed. This is typically achieved by using a disc, tiller, or harrow to break up the soil, which removes competition from weeds and ensures proper seed-to-soil contact. After the seedbed is prepared and lime or fertilizer is incorporated, the seed is applied either by broadcasting it or by drilling it into the ground. Proper planting depth is crucial, often requiring the use of a cultipacker or roller after spreading to press small seeds into the soil surface for maximum germination.