A food plot is a planted area designed to provide supplemental nutrition and attract deer, augmenting natural vegetation. The purpose is to concentrate deer for observation or hunting, and to improve overall herd health. There is no single “best” food plot; the most effective choice is a strategic combination of plantings that aligns with the deer’s changing dietary needs, the local climate, and the land manager’s specific goals. Success depends on understanding seasonal nutritional requirements, the difference between annual and perennial crops, and proper ground preparation.
Aligning Food Plots with Deer’s Seasonal Nutritional Needs
Deer have two distinct periods each year with significantly different nutritional demands, which dictates the type of forage they require. The warm season, spanning spring and summer, is when protein is most in demand for bucks growing antlers and does lactating and raising fawns. During this period, deer need a diet high in protein, ideally between 17% and 20%, to support growth and reproduction functions.
The cool season, covering late fall and winter, shifts the focus to high-energy, high-carbohydrate foods necessary for survival. Deer require these calorie-dense sources to build and maintain fat reserves, which are burned for warmth and energy during the rut and cold periods. Plant selections must provide energy and sustenance to help deer recover from the rut and survive the winter.
High-Impact Annuals for Short-Term Attraction
Annual food plot crops complete their life cycle in a single growing season and are primarily used for quick, intense attraction, especially during the hunting season. These plantings are fast-growing and deliver a high volume of palatable forage in a short timeframe.
Brassicas, including turnips, radishes, kale, and rape, are popular due to their cold tolerance and high sugar content. After a hard frost, the starches in the leaves and bulbs convert to sugars, significantly increasing their palatability and attraction. Planting is often timed for late summer, roughly 60 to 90 days before the first expected frost, allowing for maximum growth before the cold weather sweetens the forage.
Cereal grains, such as oats, wheat, and rye, also serve as excellent cool-season annuals, offering a highly digestible energy source. Oats are a preferred choice for early-season attraction but are the least cold-tolerant, often winter-killing in northern climates. Wheat and rye are extremely hardy and remain green and palatable throughout the winter, providing consistent forage into the early spring.
Perennial Crops for Long-Term Habitat Improvement
Perennial food plot crops offer nutritional benefits for multiple years without the need for annual replanting. These plants are crucial for providing the high protein required during the spring and summer for antler growth and fawn development. The most commonly used perennials are clover and chicory, valued for their sustained yield and nutritional density.
Clovers, including red and white (Ladino) varieties, are legumes that fix nitrogen into the soil, naturally improving the plot’s fertility. They offer high protein levels, often exceeding 20%, making them a sustained source of nutrition. Perennials are slower to establish and may take a full year to reach peak production, though they require less frequent maintenance than annuals.
Chicory is another valuable perennial, recognized for its deep taproot, which allows it to thrive in drier conditions that might stress clover stands in the summer. It is highly palatable and delivers a protein content comparable to clover, making it an excellent companion plant in perennial mixes. Blending these crops with a fast-growing annual cereal grain, such as cereal rye, provides immediate forage while the slower-growing perennials establish themselves.
Essential Site and Soil Preparation
The success of any food plot is fundamentally dependent on proper site and soil preparation. The single most important step is conducting a professional soil test, which provides a detailed analysis of the soil’s pH level and existing nutrient content. A balanced soil pH is necessary because it directly influences a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil and any applied fertilizer.
Most preferred food plot crops, including clover and brassicas, require a relatively neutral soil pH, typically in the range of 6.0 to 7.0, for optimal nutrient uptake. If the soil test reveals an acidic pH (below 6.0), agricultural lime must be applied to raise the pH level, a process that can take three to six months to fully take effect. The soil test also provides specific recommendations for fertilizer, which should be applied to supplement essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Location selection is also a foundational step, as food plots require adequate sunlight, ideally six to eight hours per day, to maximize growth and tonnage. Plots should be located near existing cover or bedding areas to encourage daytime visitation by deer, as they are less likely to travel long distances across open areas during daylight. Proper ground preparation, including eliminating existing weeds with an herbicide and tilling the soil 4 to 6 inches deep, creates a clean seedbed that allows the planted forage to outcompete native vegetation.